How to say "well-behaved" in Japanese

• おとなしいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers the quiet, gentle side of 'well-behaved': a person or animal of mild, meek, docile disposition. It emphasizes temperament rather than obedience, so for a well-behaved child or pet use 賢い or 利口.
  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.
• 賢いかしこいJLPT N3approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'well-behaved' for children and pets: good and obedient. As children's language, it is the natural word for praising a child directly or remarking on a youngster who behaves well.
• 利口りこうJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounAlso covers the well-behaved child or pet: good and obedient. A plain common word, it is not tied to child-directed speech the way 賢い is, so it suits neutral description as well as praise.

For a quiet, gentle, meek temperament choose 「おとなしい」; for a child or pet that is good and obedient, choose 「賢い」 when praising a child and 利口 in neutral description.

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

• おとなしいgentle
• 生直ぐきすぐwell-behaved
• お利口おりこうwell-behaved (esp. of children and pets)
• 賢いかしこいwell-behaved (esp. children and pets)
• 利口りこうwell-behaved (esp. of children and pets)