おとなしい・大人しい・温和しいotonashii[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. i-adjectivegentle; quiet; mild; meek; obedient; docile; well-behaved; tame
   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.
2. i-adjectivequiet (color, pattern, etc.); sober

• Related質素しっそNeutralDescribes a simple, frugal lifestyle, as in 「質素な暮らし」. It concerns how one lives, and overlaps with 「おとなしい」 only in the plain, subdued sense.
• Related地味じみNeutralPlain and unobtrusive in color or character, as in 「地味な服」. Close to the subdued, plain sense of 「おとなしい」.
• Related謙虚けんきょNeutralHumble, free of pride, as in 「謙虚な態度」. It is about modesty of attitude; 「おとなしい」 is about being quiet and not making a fuss.
• Related慎ましやかつつましやかWrittenWritten/formal: cautious, modest and dignified, as in 「つつましやかな女性」. It stresses reserved, decorous bearing rather than simply being quiet.
• RelatedつつましいWrittenWritten/formal: restrained and modest in speech and conduct, as in 「つつましい態度」. It stresses caution and reserve; 「おとなしい」 stresses being quiet, not noisy.
• Antonym激しいはげしいNeutralAntonym: intense and violent in force or degree. It stands opposite to the quiet, docile 「おとなしい」.
• Antonym荒々しいあらあらしいNeutralAntonym: rough, wild and violent in manner. It stands opposite to the gentle, docile 「おとなしい」.

Use 「おとなしい」 for a person or animal that is quiet and docile, or for subdued, plain colors, as in 「おとなしい子」. For a plain, unobtrusive look say 「地味」, for humility 「謙虚」; 「激しい」 and 「荒々しい」 are its opposites.

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

1. 騒さわいだりせず静しずかにしているさま。
2. 穏おだやかで従順じゅうじゅんなさま。
3. 派手はでではないさま。