“Kind (gentle)” in Japanese is 優しい (やさしい), pronounced yasashii.
Pronunciation
The word has 4 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
Kind, gentle or soft-hearted. The same sound written 易しい means easy (simple).
Example sentences
- 先生はとても優しいです。せんせいはとてもやさしいです。The teacher is very kind.
- 優しい人が好きです。やさしいひとがすきです。I like kind people.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 優しい. The rules are explained in い- vs. な-adjectives.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Plain | 優しい やさしい | kind (gentle) |
| Polite present | 優しいです やさしいです | is kind (gentle) |
| Negative | 優しくないです やさしくないです | isn’t kind (gentle) |
| Past | 優しかったです やさしかったです | was kind (gentle) |
| Past negative | 優しくなかったです やさしくなかったです | wasn’t kind (gentle) |
| て-form | 優しくて やさしくて | kind (gentle) and… |
| Adverb (く) | 優しく やさしく | adverb form (+ verb) |
Quick practice
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Which word means “kind (helpful)”?
Related words: Adjectives
FAQ
How do you say kind (gentle) in Japanese?
Kind (gentle) in Japanese is 優しい (やさしい), pronounced “yasashii”.
How do you write kind (gentle) in Japanese?
It's written 優しい with kanji, or やさしい in hiragana. Both are read yasashii.
Is 優しい on the JLPT?
Yes. 優しい (yasashii) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.