What does it mean word for word?
The phrase とても優しいね is composed of totemo (very), yasashii (kind/gentle) and the sentence-ending particle ne (isn't it/right?).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can make the phrase more polite and suitable for people you are not close to by adding desu before the particle ne, resulting in とても優しいですね. Other formal variations include とても親切な方ですね, which translates to "You're very kind."
How does it change in a sentence?
To express "you were so nice" in the past tense, change the adjective to its past form yasashikatta, resulting in とても優しかったね (you were so kind, weren't you).
How do you pronounce it?
totemo yasashii ne
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly include anata wa (you) at the start of the phrase. In natural Japanese, the subject is usually omitted when it is obvious who you are talking to.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone 優しい can feel almost condescending, similar to telling a child 'you are such a good boy'.
- In high-context Japanese communication, saying 優しい can be a way to subtly ask for a favor by first praising the other person's nature.
- The word 優しい (yasashii) is a homophone for a word meaning 'easy' or 'simple', though they are written with different kanji.
Examples in context
- 陽太さんはとても優しいね。Youta-san wa totemo yasashii ne.Youta is so nice.
- あなたはとても優しいね。Anata wa totemo yasashii ne.You are so nice.
- 結衣さんはとても優しいね。Yui-san wa totemo yasashii ne.Yui is so kind.
Example conversation
Yui gives Yota a small gift to cheer him up.
- 陽太 Yotaえっ、僕のために買ってくれたの？E, boku no tame ni katte kureta no?What, you bought this for me?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、陽太が疲れていると思ったから。Un, Yota ga tsukarete iru to omotta kara.Yeah, I thought you were tired, Yota.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。結衣はとても優しいね。Arigatou. Yui wa totemo yasashii ne.Thank you. Yui, you're so nice.
- 結衣 Yuiふふっ、気にしないで。Fufu, ki ni shinaide.Hehe, don't mention it.
