Japanese word

おとなしい

Pronunciation

Romajiotonashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivequiet

Example

妹はおとなしいです。imōto wa o to na shi i de su

My younger sister is quiet.

Illustration for おとなしい (quiet)

More examples

その犬は見た目よりおとなしいです。so no inu wa mi ta me yo ri o to na shi i de su

That dog is gentler than it looks.

Core concept

Expresses a calm, restrained nature that appears in quiet speech, gentle behavior, or obedience.

Common phrases

  • おとなしい子o to na shi i ko

    quiet child

  • おとなしい人o to na shi i hito

    quiet person

  • おとなしくするo to na shi ku su ru

    behave quietly

Definition in Japanese

人の話し声や動作が控えめで、性質や振る舞いが穏やかなさま。hito no hana shi goe ya dō sa ga hika e me de sei shitsu ya fu ru ma i ga oda ya ka na sa ma

Word origin

The word おとなしい (otonashii) is formed from おとな (otona, "adult") and しい (shī, "having the quality of"), and its meaning shifted from "adult-like" to calm, gentle, and well-behaved.

Usage tips

  • For a child or pet, おとなしい (otonashii) can describe behavior that is easy to manage, while a quiet adult may simply speak little.

Other meanings

  • gentlei-adjective
  • well-behavedi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • おとなしさotonashisaquietnessnoun

Word lists with this word