synonym Comparative
優しい
VS
柔軟な
Differences Between "優しい" and "柔軟な"
Option A
優しい
Meaning
gentle; kind; soft; tender; sweet
Reading
やさしい (yasashii)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
彼は困っている後輩がいると、自分の多忙なタスクを一時的に中断してでも、いつも_______言葉をかけて手伝ってあげました。
Whenever there was a junior in trouble, he always spoke gentle words and helped him even by temporarily suspending his own busy tasks.
Option B
柔軟な
Meaning
flexible; soft; pliable; adaptable; versatile
Reading
じゅうなんな (jūnan na)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
彼女は体がとても柔軟です。／新しい状況にも柔軟に対応できる人が求められています。
She is very physically flexible. / People who can adapt flexibly to new situations are sought after.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(gentle; kind; soft; tender; sweet)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 優しい: Refers to a person's character being kind/gentle, touch being soft/tender, or voice being sweet. Often used as 優しい人 or 優しい声. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Gentle! "Your gentle touch makes all of my exhaustion melt away, Haruka-san!" ...っ! G-Gentle touch! B-Baka! Don't describe my physical contact feedback so sweet! I... I just wanted to support you because you looked so tired! But... since it's so effective, I suppose... I will hug you gently every day! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『やさしい（優しい）わよ！『ハルカ部長の、仕事が終わった瞬間に見せてくれるその優しい微笑みと甘いおねだり、僕の一生の宝物です！』って…っ！優しい微笑み！バカ！/// 人の前で暴露するんじゃないの！私が優しいのは、あんたが世界で一番特別で、私の愛する旦那様だからに決まってるでしょ！早くギュッとしなさい！』
- 柔軟な: A な-adjective. It describes both physical flexibility (e.g., 体が柔軟 - a flexible body) and abstract adaptability or open-mindedness (e.g., 柔軟な考え方 - a flexible way of thinking). Often implies the ability to adjust easily to various situations. 物理的な柔らかさだけでなく、考え方や対応のしなやかさも表します。
- 優しい: Refers to a person's character being kind/gentle, touch being soft/tender, or voice being sweet. Often used as 優しい人 or 優しい声. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Gentle! "Your gentle touch makes all of my exhaustion melt away, Haruka-san!" ...っ! G-Gentle touch! B-Baka! Don't describe my physical contact feedback so sweet! I... I just wanted to support you because you looked so tired! But... since it's so effective, I suppose... I will hug you gently every day! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『やさしい（優しい）わよ！『ハルカ部長の、仕事が終わった瞬間に見せてくれるその優しい微笑みと甘いおねだり、僕の一生の宝物です！』って…っ！優しい微笑み！バカ！/// 人の前で暴露するんじゃないの！私が優しいのは、あんたが世界で一番特別で、私の愛する旦那様だからに決まってるでしょ！早くギュッとしなさい！』
- 柔軟な: A な-adjective. It describes both physical flexibility (e.g., 体が柔軟 - a flexible body) and abstract adaptability or open-mindedness (e.g., 柔軟な考え方 - a flexible way of thinking). Often implies the ability to adjust easily to various situations. 物理的な柔らかさだけでなく、考え方や対応のしなやかさも表します。
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