素直
sunao
The English word 'docile' can be translated into Japanese as 素直 (sunao).
While 素直 can mean 'docile' or 'obedient', it is most commonly used to describe a person's personality as being honest, sincere or easygoing without being stubborn.
Meaning: accepting instructions (adj)
Which one should you use?
素直 implies a positive trait of being honest and easy to guide. In contrast, 従順 (juujun) carries a more clinical or literal meaning of 'submissive' or 'obedient' and is often used when referring to animals or subordinates.
How does it change in a sentence?
When modifying a noun, 素直 takes the particle な (na) to become 素直な (sunao na).
How do you pronounce it?
sunao
Did you know?
- In Japanese, you can describe a physical object, like a piece of fabric or a tool, as 素直 if it is easy to handle and behaves exactly as expected.
- If a Japanese person says they want to be 素直 in a romantic context, they often mean they want to stop playing hard to get and be honest about their feelings.
- The word 素直 is composed of the characters for 'plain' and 'straight', which creates the image of a person who is unadorned and follows a direct path without unnecessary crookedness.
Examples in context
- 彼女はとても従順な子犬を育てています。She is raising a very docile puppy.
- 彼は素直な性格で、いつも指示に従います。With his docile personality, he always follows instructions.
- 彼はおとなしい性格で、あまり人前で話さない。He has a docile personality and doesn't speak much in public.
- 彼女はおとなしめの性格で、大人しく過ごすことが多いです。She has a docile nature and often spends time quietly.
- 彼は素直な性格だ。Kare wa sunao na seikaku da.
- 彼はとても素直な性格です。Kare wa totemo sunao na seikaku desu.He has a very docile personality.
Example conversation
Misaki is praising Hiroto for his attitude at work.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんは本当に素直ですね。Hiroto-san wa hontō ni sunao desu ne.Hiroto, you are really docile.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます、美咲さん。Arigatō gozaimasu, Misaki-san.Thank you, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiアドバイスをすぐに実行しますから。Adobaisu o sugu ni jikkō shimasu kara.Because you put advice into practice immediately.
- 大翔 Hirotoもっと成長したいと思っています。Motto seichō shitai to omotte imasu.I want to grow even more.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 素直, CC BY-SA 4.0.
