優しくして
yasashiku shite
To say "be gentle" in Japanese, you use 優しくして (yasashiku shite).
The phrase 優しくして can be used to ask for both physical gentleness, such as asking for a light touch and emotional gentleness, such as asking for kind treatment or consideration.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverbial form of the adjective *yasashii* (kind/gentle) and the te-form of the verb *suru* (to do), literally meaning "do (it) kindly/gently".
Which one should you use?
While 優しくして is the standard informal way to express the request, 優しくしてね adds a friendly, informal tone. For formal situations, you may use 優しくしてください or 優しくお願いします.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
優しくして is an informal request typically used with partners, friends or family members. The forms 優しくしてください and 優しくお願いします are polite ways to ask someone to be gentle.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding ください to the end of 優しくして (making it 優しくしてください) makes the request polite and formal.
How do you pronounce it?
yasashiku shite
Did you know?
- While 優しくして asks for kindness, the Japanese language uses the word 甘える (amaeru) to describe the specific act of depending on someone's gentleness to feel loved.
- The kanji for 'gentle' 優 is the same character used in the word 優秀 (yūshū), which means 'excellent' or 'superior'.
- In romantic media like 'shojo' manga, the phrase 優しくして is frequently used as a specific linguistic cue to signal a romantic turning point. It acts as a shorthand for a character expressing deep vulnerability.
Examples in context
- もっと優しくして。Motto yasashiku shite.Be more gentle.
- 赤ちゃんに優しくしてね。Akachan ni yasashiku shite ne.Please be gentle with the baby.
- 犬に優しくしてあげて。Inu ni yasashiku shite agete.Be gentle with the dog.
Example conversation
Yui is asking Kenta to be more considerate during an argument.
- 結衣 Yuiそんなに怒らないで、優しくして。Sonna ni okoranaide, yasashiku shite.Don't be so angry, be gentle.
- 健太 Kentaごめん、つい感情的になったよ。Gomen, tsui kanjoteki ni natta yo.Sorry, I just got emotional.
- 結衣 Yuiお願いだから、もっと優しくしてね。Onegai dakara, motto yasashiku shite ne.Please, be gentler with me.
- 健太 Kentaわかった。これからは気をつけるよ。Wakatta. Kore kara wa ki o tsukeru yo.I understand. I'll be careful from now on.
