How to say "gentle" in Japanese

• 優しいやさしいJLPT N4approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'gentle' as tender and warm: a kind-hearted person, a soft voice, a caring manner. This is the word you want when 'gentle' suggests kindness and warmth toward people.
  彼かれの優やさしい言葉ことばで彼女かのじょの気持きもちが和やわらいだ。↗

  She melted at his kind words.
• 穏やかおだやかJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjectiveCovers 'gentle' as calm and mild rather than rough: gentle weather, a quiet sea, or a placid, even temperament. The nuance is peacefulness, not warm feeling.
  海うみは穏おだやかに、そしてなめらかに見みえる。↗

  The sea looks calm and smooth.
• おとなしいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'gentle' as quiet and meek: a docile child or pet, a person who rarely speaks up. The nuance is mildness and passivity rather than warmth.
  牛うしは大おおきくて、おとなしく見みえました。↗

  The cows looked big and docile.
• 親切しんせつJLPT N4approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounReally means 'kind' — helpful and considerate toward others — so it is seldom the word for 'gentle'. Use it only when the English 'gentle' amounts to kind, thoughtful consideration.
  あなたの家族かぞくはきっと親切しんせつでしょう。↗

  Your family must be very nice.
• 温厚おんこうCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'gentle' as mild-mannered: a warm, even-tempered character. It describes a person's disposition rather than a single kind act or mood.
  彼かれは生うまれつき温厚おんこうだ。↗

  He is kind by nature.

Choose 「優しい」 for warm, tender kindness, 「穏やか」 for calm mildness of weather, manner, or temperament, 「おとなしい」 for a quiet, meek nature, 親切 for helpful consideration, and 温厚 for a mild-mannered character.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 優しいやさしいtender
• 穏やかおだやかcalm
• おとなしいgentle
• 親切しんせつkind
• 温厚おんこうgentle
• 穏便おんびんgentle
• 柔和にゅうわgentle
• 和やかなごやかmild
• しとやかgraceful
• なだらかgently sloping
• 温良おんりょうgentle
• 優やさgentle
• 優しげやさしげgentle
• お手柔らかおてやわらかgentle
• 大人しやかおとなしやかgentle
• ジェントルgentle
• 寛かんlenient
• あえかdelicate
• しおらしいmeek
• もの柔らかものやわらかmild
• 順良じゅんりょうgood and obedient
• アマービレamabile
• ほんわかwarm
• しめやかquiet and subdued in appearance
• やらかいsoft
• おしとやかgraceful
• 柔らかいやわらかいgentle
• 緩いゆるいgentle (curve, slope, etc.)
• 緩やかゆるやかgentle (slope, curve)
• 柔らかやわらかsoft (colour, light, etc.)
• 温和おんわgentle (nature, personality, etc.)
• 優ゆうgentle
• 靄然あいぜんgentle
• 緩かゆるかgentle
• 直直なおなおobedient
• しっとりquiet
• 軽いかるいslight