いい子にしてね
ii ko ni shite ne
To say "be a good girl" in Japanese, you use いい子にしてね (ii ko ni shite ne).
This phrase is a request for a child to behave well and be obedient. While translated as "be a good girl" in English, the phrase is gender-neutral in Japanese and can be used for both boys and girls.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the final particle ね to say いい子にして makes the phrase a more direct command.
How do you pronounce it?
ii ko ni shite ne
Did you know?
- In anime or pop culture, an adult might be called いい子 sarcastically to mock them for being too naive or overly obedient.
- The concept of being a 'good child' in Japan focuses on maintaining social harmony and avoiding trouble for the group rather than individual morality.
- The phrase いい子 is commonly used for pets in the same way English speakers use 'good boy' or 'good girl'.
Examples in context
- お留守番の間、いい子にしてね。Orusumeban no aida, ii ko ni shite ne.Be a good girl while I am out.
- パパの言うことを聞いて、いい子にしてね。Papa no iu koto o kiite, ii ko ni shite ne.Listen to Daddy and be a good girl.
- お利口さんだから、いい子にしてね。Orikousan dakara, ii ko ni shite ne.You are a clever girl, so be a good girl.
Example conversation
A mother is leaving her child at a relative's house.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔、いい子にしてね。Daito, ii ko ni shite ne.Daito, be a good boy.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、いい子にするよ。un, ii ko ni suru yo.Yeah, I will be good.
- 陽葵 Himariえらいね。あとでまた来るね。erai ne. ato de mata kuru ne.Good boy. I'll be back later.
- 大翔 Hirotoはやく帰ってきてね！hayaku kaette kite ne!Come back soon!
