Translation and Meaning of: 優しい - yasashii

The Japanese word 「優しい」 (yasashii) is widely used to describe a gentle or kind personality. Etymologically, 「優しい」 is composed of kanji characters where 「優」 can also be read as "superior" or "excellent," indicating a higher level of softness or gentleness. Linguistically, this expression is often used to describe someone who has a loving and compassionate nature, whether in daily interactions or in more permanent personality traits.

The origin of this word dates back to the Heian period, when personal and behavioral characteristics began to be frequently recorded in Japanese literature. During this time, kindness and grace were highly valued qualities in the aristocracy, and the word 「優しい」 began to be used to describe people who exhibited these traits. Through the centuries, the term remained popular, maintaining its timeless meaning of affection and kindness.

The word 「優しい」 can be used in various contexts, expanding its use through variations and synonyms that also convey nuances of kindness and affection. Some contexts where this word may appear include:

"He is kind when helping others."
Characterize a person's temperament: "She has a kind heart."
Appreciate the softness of something: "Her voice is soft and soothing."

The use of 「優しい」 transcends social contexts, influencing not only everyday vocabulary but also Japanese popular culture, literature, and art. The term remains a pillar in the description of kindness and empathy, highlighting the importance of these qualities in society throughout history.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

やさしい (yasashii) - Kind, friendly
優美な (yubi na) - Funny, elegant
慈しむ (itoshimu) - Love, take care lovingly
慈愛深い (jiai fukai) - Deeply loving
慈悲深い (jihi fukai) - Profoundly merciful
親切な (shinsetsu na) - Friendly, attentive
心優しい (kokoro yasashii) - Gentle heart
柔らかい (yawarakai) - soft, smooth
和やかな (nagoyaka na) - Calm, harmonious
穏やかな (odayaka na) - Calm, serene
優雅な (yūga na) - elegant, refined
優秀な (yūshū na) - excellent, remarkable
優れた (sugureta) - Superb, outstanding
優位な (yūi na) - Superiority, advantage

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Related words

善良

zenryou

kindness; excellence; virtue

親切

shinsetsu

kindness; gentleness

温和

onwa

soft; moderate

優しい

Romaji: yasashii
Kana: やさしい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: suit; kind; kind; graceful; affectionate; kind

Meaning in English: tender;kind;gentle;graceful;affectionate;amiable;suave

Definition: Treat others and things with compassion and love.

Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (優しい) yasashii

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (優しい) yasashii:

Example Sentences - (優しい) yasashii

See below some example sentences:

彼女はとても優しいです。

Kanojo wa totemo yasashii desu

She is very kind.

彼女 (kanojo) - She (female)
は (wa) - Topic particle
とても (totemo) - Very
優しい (yasashii) - kind
です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present

彼女の気立てはとても優しいです。

Kanojo no kidate wa totemo yasashii desu

Your apprentices are very kind.

彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
の (no) - possessive particle, indicates that "kanojo" is the subject of the sentence
気立て (kidate) - means "personality" or "temperament"
は (wa) - topic particle, indicates that "kidate" is the topic of the sentence
とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

男性は強くて優しいです。

Danshi wa tsuyokute yasashii desu

Men are strong and kind.

男性 (dansei) - masculine
は (wa) - Topic particle
強くて (tsuyokute) - strong and
優しい (yasashii) - kind
です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

私の婿はとても優しいです。

Watashi no muko wa totemo yasashii desu

My son-in-law is very kind.

My son - - -LAW is very kind.

私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
の - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
婿 - noun meaning "son-in-law"
は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the son-in-law"
とても - adverb meaning "very"
優しい - adjective meaning "gentle, kind"
です - verb to be in the polite form

私の父母はとても優しいです。

Watashi no chichibo wa totemo yasashii desu

My parents are very kind.

私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
の (no) - possession particle indicating that "father and mother" belong to "me"
父母 (fubo) - a word that means "father and mother" in Japanese
は (wa) - topic particle indicating that "father and mother" are the subject of the sentence
とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind" in Japanese
です (desu) - being verb that indicates that "father and mother" are "very kind"

私の兄はとても優しいです。

Watashi no ani wa totemo yasashii desu

My older brother is very kind.

My brother is very kind.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun meaning "I" or "mine"
の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
兄 (ani) - noun that means "older brother"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of discourse

私の伯母はとても優しい人です。

Watashi no oba wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My aunt is a very kind person.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
伯母 (obasan) - noun that means "aunt" (sister of the father or mother)
は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
人 (hito) - noun that means "person"
です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of discourse

私の母親はとても優しいです。

Watashi no hahaoya wa totemo yasashii desu

My mother is very kind.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
の (no) - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
母親 (hahaoya) - noun meaning "mother"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "kind"
です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私の姉はとても優しいです。

Watashi no ane wa totemo yasashii desu

My older sister is very kind.

My sister is very kind.

私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "my"
姉 (ane) - means "older sister" in Japanese
は (wa) - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "my sister"
とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject, in this case "is"