いい子にして
ii ko ni shite
To say "be good" in Japanese, use いい子にして (ii ko ni shite).
The phrase is a request used to tell a child to behave themselves.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ii (good), ko (child) and ni shite (to do/to make/to act as).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding the particle ne to the end to form いい子にしてね makes the phrase sound softer, like a gentle request or a warm reminder. Conversely, using the form いい子にしていなさい makes the phrase much more direct and authoritative, often used by parents or teachers.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding ite to the end of the phrase to create いい子にしていて changes the meaning to imply staying well-behaved for a continuous duration, such as while a parent is away.
How do you pronounce it?
ii ko ni shite
Did you know?
- Saying ii ko ni shite to a romantic partner can be a form of 'playful teasing' or 'cute behavior' known as 'amaeru', depending on the tone.
- In traditional Japanese pedagogy, a child who is いい子 is praised for their ability to read the 'kuuki' (air) and anticipate the needs of adults without being told.
- If you use the phrase ii ko ni shite ite when leaving a pet at home, you are treating the animal as if it were a human child.
Examples in context
- さようなら。お元気で。Goodbye. Be well.
- またね、元気でね！See you later, take care!
- 元気になるまでお大事に。Take care and get well soon.
- いい子にしててね。ii ko ni shitete ne.Be a good boy, okay?
- お留守番の間、いい子にしててね。orumiban no aida, ii ko ni shitete ne.Be good while I'm out.
- いい子にして、お母さんのお願い。ii ko ni shite, okaasan no onegai.Please be good, mommy's asking you.
Example conversation
A mother is leaving her son at a friend's house for a short time.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔、いい子にしててね。Hiroto, ii ko ni shitete ne.Hiroto, be a good boy.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかった、ママ。Wakatta, mama.I understand, Mommy.
- 美咲 Misakiいい子にしていられるかな？ii ko ni shite irareru kana?I wonder if you can be good?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、絶対！Un, zettai!Yeah, definitely!
