French word

gentillesse

Pronunciation

IPA/ʒɑ̃tijɛs/

Meaning

  • feminine nounkindness

Example

Merci pour votre gentillesse.

Thank you for your kindness.

Illustration for gentillesse (kindness)

More examples

Un petit geste de gentillesse peut changer la journée de quelqu'un.

A small gesture of kindness can change someone's day.

Core concept

A gentle hand that notices another person's need and responds with care.

Common phrases

  • un geste de gentillesse

    a gesture of kindness

  • manifester de la gentillesse

    demonstrate kindness

Similar words

amabilité: A polite, friendly manner in interactions and speech.
attention: Careful attention to another person's situation and feelings.
serviabilité: A willingness to help others readily and actively.
bienveillance: Sincere goodwill toward another person's happiness and interests.

Definition in French

Attitude bienveillante consistant à aider, consoler ou traiter autrui avec attention et douceur.

Word origin

Gentillesse combines French gentil, from Latin gentilis, with the abstract-noun suffix -esse.

Usage tips

  • Gentillesse is feminine, so the usual article is la, as in la gentillesse.

Opposites

Related words

  • gentilkindadjective
  • gentimentin a kind manneradverb
  • gentilletrather kindadjective

Word lists with this word