“Kind (helpful)” in Japanese is 親切 (しんせつ), pronounced shinsetsu.
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 or helpful in actions, especially towards strangers. A な-adjective.
Example sentences
- 駅の人は親切でした。えきのひとはしんせつでした。The station staff were kind.
- ご親切にありがとうございます。ごしんせつにありがとうございます。Thank you for your kindness.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 親切. The rules are explained in い- vs. な-adjectives.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Before a noun | 親切な〜 しんせつな〜 | kind (helpful) (thing) |
| Polite present | 親切です しんせつです | is kind (helpful) |
| Negative | 親切じゃないです しんせつじゃないです | isn’t kind (helpful) |
| Past | 親切でした しんせつでした | was kind (helpful) |
| Past negative | 親切じゃなかったです しんせつじゃなかったです | wasn’t kind (helpful) |
| Adverb (に) | 親切に しんせつに | adverb form (+ verb) |
Quick practice
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Related words: Adjectives
FAQ
How do you say kind (helpful) in Japanese?
Kind (helpful) in Japanese is 親切 (しんせつ), pronounced “shinsetsu”.
How do you write kind (helpful) in Japanese?
It's written 親切 with kanji, or しんせつ in hiragana. Both are read shinsetsu.
Is 親切 on the JLPT?
Yes. 親切 (shinsetsu) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.