Meaning

Primary

Gentle

Alternatives

Kind, Warm Hearted, Nice

Word Type

い adjective

Explanation

This is a single kanji with an on the end, meaning you know it's probably an adjective. What's the adjective form of gentle? It's gentle (but also kind or warm hearted).

Reading

やさしい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you: What do people who are gentle and kind say when someone asks of them a favor? Always "yessir" (やさ). Always, always "yessir"!

Context

Context Sentences

クリスはちょっとヤンチャだけど、ああ見えてすごく優しいんだよ。

Chris has a bit of a wild side, but he’s very kind despite his appearance.

夫は人前では態度が変わって、優しいふりをするんです。

My husband changes his demeanor in public and pretends to be nice.

弟はまだ幼いので、優しい母の死をまだ理解できずにいます。

My brother is still very young, so he hasn't yet fully grasped the passing of his sweet mother.

Kanji Composition