親切・深切|しんせつshinsetsu[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
親切親切 is the common form and the recommended choice for beginners; use it when expressing kindness, consideration, or generosity.
深切深切 is a rarely used alternative written entirely in kanji. It has the same meaning as 親切, but learners will seldom see it and should normally choose 親切.
Definitions
- na-adjective, nounkind; gentle; considerate; generous; friendly; nice
Conjugation
| Plain form | 親切（しんせつ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 親切です（しんせつです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 親切ではない（しんせつではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 親切ではありません（しんせつではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 親切だった（しんせつだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 親切ではなかった（しんせつではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 親切で（しんせつで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 親切に（しんせつに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 親切なら（しんせつなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym優しいやさしいNeutralDescribes a gentle, caring personality, as in 「優しい人」; focuses on character. Works in both speech and writing, while 「親切」 is about actually helping someone out.
- Synonym親身しんみNeutralCaring for someone as if they were family, as in 「親身になって相談に乗る」. Warmer and more personal than 「親切」.
- Synonym懇切こんせつWrittenWritten/formal prose for meticulous, thorough care, as in 「懇切丁寧な説明」; centers on detailed, exhaustive explanations.
- Synonym思いやりおもいやりNeutralPutting yourself in another's position, as in 「思いやりのある人」; stresses the caring feeling itself.
- Synonym手厚いてあついNeutralWarm, generous treatment or hospitality, as in 「手厚い看護」; describes how someone is looked after.
- Synonym温情おんじょうWrittenWritten/formal prose for warm-hearted kindness, as in 「温情ある判決」.
- Synonym厚意こういWrittenWritten/formal prose for kindness shown by others, as in 「ご厚意に感謝」.
- Synonym懇篤こんとくWrittenWritten/formal prose for sincere, warm kindness, describing character or attitude; also used in letters of thanks.
- Related気遣いきづかいNeutralBeing mindful of how the other person feels, as in 「お気遣いなく」; stresses concern and consideration.
- Related配慮はいりょWrittenWritten/formal prose for careful, thoughtful consideration, as in 「配慮が足りない」.
- Related気配りきくばりNeutralAttentively watching over every detail, as in 「気配りができる」; stresses constant care for others' needs.
- Related心配りこころくばりWrittenWritten/formal prose for thoughtful care and attention, as in 「心配りが嬉しい」.
- Related厚情こうじょうFormalFormal term for deep kindness or care; usually 「ご厚情」 in letters of thanks.
- Related暖かあたたかNeutralWarm, whether literally or in a kind, humane sense, as in 「温かな心」.
- RelatedねんごろWrittenWritten/formal prose for attentive, heartfelt hospitality, as in 「懇ろにもてなす」.
- Antonym不親切ふしんせつNeutralThe direct opposite of 「親切」: unhelpful and inconsiderate, as in 「不親切な店員」.
- Antonym冷淡れいたんWrittenThe opposite of 「親切」 in written/formal prose: cold and indifferent, as in 「冷淡な態度」.
- Antonym無情むじょうWrittenThe opposite of 「親切」 in written/formal prose: cold-hearted and merciless.
Default to 「親切」 for actively helping people in need. For a gentle personality use 「優しい」; for care like family, 「親身」; for thorough explanations, 「懇切」; for the feeling of consideration, 「思いやり」; for attentiveness to every detail, 「気配り」. For the opposite, use 「不親切」 or 「冷淡」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- 困っている人等の身になり、何かをしてやったりすること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
