Japanese word

なだめる

Pronunciation

Romajinadameru

Meaning

  • verbsoothe

Example

泣いている子どもをなだめます。na i te i ru ko do mo o na da me ma su

I soothe the crying child.

Illustration for なだめる (soothe)

More examples

会場が騒然としたとき、係員は観客をなだめました。kai jō ga sō zen to shi ta to ki kakari in wa kan kyaku o na da me ma shi ta

When the venue became chaotic, the staff member calmed the audience.

Core concept

The meaning centers on easing another person's emotional agitation until the person becomes calm and receptive.

Common phrases

  • 相手をなだめるai te o na da me ru

    calm the other person

  • 子どもをなだめるko do mo o na da me ru

    soothe a child

Similar words

和らげるyawarageru: To make emotional distress, anger, or tension less intense.
鎮めるshizumeru: To make a person's anger or agitation subside.
あやすayasu: To calm a crying or restless child through playful attention.
慰めるnagusameru: To ease someone's sadness or pain through kind words or care.

Definition in Japanese

怒りや不安で興奮している人などに働きかけ、気持ちを落ち着かせる。ika ri ya fu an de kō fun shi te i ru hito na do ni hatara ki ka ke ki mo chi o o chi tsu ka se ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb なだめる (nadameru) comes from the older verb なだむ (nadamu), meaning "to calm" or "appease", and preserves that basic sense.

Usage tips

  • English pacify often suggests stopping resistance or unrest, whereas なだめる (nadameru) also fits the gentle act of settling a crying child.

Other meanings

  • calmverb
  • pacifyverb

Opposites

Related words

  • なだめ方nadamekataway of soothingnoun
  • なだめ役nadameyakupeacemakernoun

Word lists with this word