When you want to describe an action that's done with care, without making much noise, or without disturbing anything, you can use the adverb そっと (sotto).
Think of it as doing something very gently or quietly. For example, if you open a door very softly so as not to wake someone, you would use そっと.
It implies a delicate touch or a hushed movement. It's a useful word for adding a sense of gentleness or discretion to your Japanese sentences.
When you want to express an action done gently, quietly, or softly, without causing a disturbance, そっと (sotto) is the adverb you'll reach for. It's often used when handling delicate objects, moving stealthily, or speaking in a hushed tone. Think of situations where you'd want to be careful not to make noise or break something. It implies a sense of tenderness or cautiousness in the action being performed. You might use it to describe placing a sleeping baby down or tiptoeing into a room.
When we say そっと (sotto), it means doing something very gently or quietly so that you don't disturb anything or anyone. Think of it as handling something with extreme care, or moving without making a sound.
It’s often used when you want to avoid drawing attention or causing any kind of disruption. For example, you might そっと close a door so it doesn't slam, or そっと place a sleeping baby in their crib.
The core idea is always about a delicate action, minimizing impact, and often, discretion. It's about being unobtrusive in your actions.
Le savais-tu ?
Many Japanese adverbs that describe sounds or manners of action (called 'giongo' or 'gitaigo') are onomatopoeic or mimetical, directly reflecting the sound or sensation. 'Sotto' falls into this category, subtly conveying its meaning through its sound.
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そっと means gently or quietly
そっと (sotto) is an adverb that means gently, quietly, or softly. It implies an action done with care, without making noise or disturbing anything.
Use for careful actions
You can use そっと when someone is doing something very carefully, like closing a door so it doesn't slam, or placing something down lightly.
そっと as quietly
It often describes actions done quietly, such as sneaking out of a room so as not to wake someone.
そっと as softly
Think of it as performing an action softly, like touching something delicate.
そっと examples: closing a door
ドアをそっと閉める (doa o sotto shimeru) means to close the door gently or quietly.
そっと examples: putting something down
コップをそっと置く (koppu o sotto oku) means to gently place the glass down.
そっと examples: waking someone
赤ちゃんをそっと起こす (akachan o sotto okosu) means to gently wake the baby.
そっと examples: entering a room
部屋にそっと入る (heya ni sotto hairu) means to quietly enter the room.
そっと examples: touching something
猫をそっと撫でる (neko o sotto naderu) means to softly pet the cat.
そっと often used with motion verbs
You'll frequently see そっと used with verbs that involve movement or physical interaction, emphasizing the carefulness or quietness of the action.
Origine du mot
Likely onomatopoeic or mimetical
Sens originel : The word itself conveys the feeling of gentleness or quietness.
JapaneseContexte culturel
Japanese culture often emphasizes harmony and consideration for others, which is reflected in the frequent use of words like 「そっと」. It signifies an action taken with care not to cause disturbance or inconvenience, whether to people, animals, or even objects. This respect for one's surroundings is a deeply ingrained aspect of Japanese social etiquette.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsそっと (sotto) implies doing something gently or quietly, often to avoid disturbing something or someone. It focuses on the manner of action.
ゆっくり (yukkuri) means slowly or leisurely, emphasizing the pace or duration.
For example, if you say:
そっとドアを閉める。 (Sotto doa o shimeru.)
This means you close the door gently, perhaps so as not to wake someone.
If you say:
ゆっくり歩く。 (Yukkuri aruku.)
This means you walk slowly, taking your time.
Yes, そっと can be used for sound, meaning quietly or softly.
For instance:
そっと歌う。 (Sotto utau.)
This means 'to sing quietly' or 'to hum softly'.
While そっと is often used for physical actions, it can also describe the manner of non-physical actions, implying a gentle or subtle approach.
For example:
彼女にそっと話しかけた。 (Kanojo ni sotto hanashikaketa.)
This means 'I spoke to her gently' or 'I approached her softly' (in conversation).
そっと is an adverb, so it directly modifies verbs or adjectives.
Here are a few examples:
赤ちゃんが寝ているから、そっと歩いてください。 (Akachan ga neteiru kara, sotto aruite kudasai.)
Please walk gently/quietly because the baby is sleeping.
彼はそっと手紙を置いた。 (Kare wa sotto tegami o oita.)
He gently placed the letter.
そっと itself doesn't carry a polite or impolite connotation. It describes the manner of an action. The politeness of the sentence will depend on the verb and overall sentence structure used with it.
For example, adding -ください (kudasai) makes it a polite request.
そっと isn't typically used to describe emotions directly. However, it can describe an action taken due to an emotion, like gently comforting someone.
For example:
彼女の肩をそっと叩いた。 (Kanojo no kata o sotto tataita.)
I gently patted her shoulder (perhaps to comfort her).
No, そっと is almost always written in hiragana. It's an onomatopoeic adverb that captures the feeling of gentleness or quietness, and these are usually written in hiragana or katakana.
'Without disturbing' is a key nuance of そっと. It implies a conscious effort to avoid causing a fuss, making noise, or disrupting the current state of things.
For example, if you say:
そっと部屋を出た。 (Sotto heya o deta.)
You left the room quietly, specifically to avoid disturbing anyone inside.
Yes, そっと can be used metaphorically to describe a gentle or subtle approach to a situation or idea.
For example, you might 'gently introduce' a sensitive topic:
その話題にそっと触れた。 (Sono wadai ni sotto fureta.)
I gently touched upon that topic.
One common phrase is そっとしておく (sotto shite oku), which means 'to leave someone/something alone' or 'to leave someone/something undisturbed'.
Example:
疲れているから、そっとしておいてください。 (Tsukareteiru kara, sotto shite oite kudasai.)
I'm tired, so please leave me alone.
Teste-toi 66 questions
Choose the best English translation for そっと.
そっと (sotto) means gently, quietly, or softly. It implies doing something without disturbing.
Which sentence uses そっと correctly?
そっと is used when an action is performed gently, quietly, or softly. Closing a door gently fits this meaning.
If you want to move something without making noise, which adverb would you use?
そっと describes actions done quietly or without disturbing, which is appropriate for moving something silently.
そっと can be used to describe someone speaking in a loud voice.
そっと means quietly or softly, so it would not be used to describe speaking loudly.
If you want to put a baby to sleep without waking them, you would move そっと.
そっと implies moving gently and quietly, which is perfect for not disturbing a sleeping baby.
そっと means doing something with a lot of force.
そっと means gently or softly, which is the opposite of using a lot of force.
Imagine you need to close a door without making any noise because someone is sleeping. How would you describe closing the door?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
ドアをそっと閉めました。
You want to place a fragile object on a table very carefully. How would you describe putting the object down?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
コップをそっと置きました。
Your friend is feeling unwell, and you want to offer them a warm drink without disturbing them. How would you describe giving them the drink?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お茶をそっと渡しました。
お母さんはどのようにドアを開けましたか？
Read this passage:
赤ちゃんが寝ています。お母さんはドアをそっと開けました。そして、静かに部屋を出ました。
お母さんはどのようにドアを開けましたか？
「そっと」は、静かに、優しく、という意味です。赤ちゃんを起こさないように、お母さんはドアを優しく開けました。
「そっと」は、静かに、優しく、という意味です。赤ちゃんを起こさないように、お母さんはドアを優しく開けました。
猫は花瓶をどのように触りましたか？
Read this passage:
机の上に花瓶がありました。猫がそれをそっと触りました。花瓶は倒れませんでした。
猫は花瓶をどのように触りましたか？
「そっと」は、優しく、静かに、という意味です。猫が花瓶を優しく触ったので、倒れませんでした。
「そっと」は、優しく、静かに、という意味です。猫が花瓶を優しく触ったので、倒れませんでした。
私は友達の肩をどのように叩きましたか？
Read this passage:
友達が悲しそうでした。私は彼女の肩をそっと叩きました。彼女は少し笑顔になりました。
私は友達の肩をどのように叩きましたか？
「そっと」は、優しく、静かに、という意味です。友達を励ますために、優しく肩を叩きました。
「そっと」は、優しく、静かに、という意味です。友達を励ますために、優しく肩を叩きました。
彼女は赤ちゃんが起きないように、ドアを___閉めた。
The context implies closing the door gently to avoid waking a baby. 'そっと' (sotto) means gently or quietly. 'ゆっくり' (yukkuri) means slowly, '早く' (hayaku) means quickly, and '強く' (tsuyoku) means strongly.
猫はソファに___上がった。
Cats often move quietly. 'そっと' (sotto) fits this meaning, indicating it moved gently or quietly. '急に' (kyuu ni) means suddenly, '勢いよく' (ikiyoi yoku) means with vigor, and '大声で' (oogoe de) means loudly.
私は壊れやすい花瓶をテーブルに___置いた。
When handling something fragile like a vase, you would place it gently. 'そっと' (sotto) conveys this gentleness. '乱暴に' (ranbou ni) means roughly, '早く' (hayaku) means quickly, and '高く' (takaku) means high.
彼はお年寄りの肩に___手を置いた。
Placing a hand on an elderly person's shoulder implies a gentle, comforting action. 'そっと' (sotto) is the best fit. '強く' (tsuyoku) means strongly, '重く' (omoku) means heavily, and '激しく' (hageshiku) means intensely.
風が___窓を揺らした。
A gentle breeze would shake the window quietly. 'そっと' (sotto) implies this quiet, gentle movement. '突然' (totsuzen) means suddenly, '静かに' (shizuka ni) means quietly (but doesn't imply the action of shaking), and '大きく' (ookiku) means largely.
先生は、生徒が集中できるように、___話した。
For students to concentrate, a teacher would likely speak quietly or softly. 'そっと' (sotto) works well here. '大声で' (oogoe de) means loudly, '早口で' (hayakuchi de) means quickly, and '怒って' (okotte) means angrily.
Which sentence uses "そっと" correctly?
"そっと" means gently or quietly, so closing a door quietly is a correct usage. Running, speaking loudly, or dancing don't fit the nuance of 'gently' or 'quietly' in this context.
What is the best English equivalent for "そっと" in this sentence: 「猫はそっと歩いた。」 (The cat walked ___.)
"そっと" implies a gentle or quiet action, which aligns best with "gently" for how a cat might walk.
Which action is most likely described using "そっと"?
"そっと" is used for actions done gently, quietly, or without disturbing. Putting a sleeping baby down carefully perfectly fits this description.
You can use "そっと" to describe someone speaking loudly.
"そっと" means gently or quietly, so it's the opposite of speaking loudly.
If you want to move something without making noise, "そっと" is an appropriate adverb to use.
"そっと" specifically means without disturbing, often implying quietly or gently, which is exactly what you'd do to avoid making noise.
When someone is angry and slamming doors, you would use "そっと" to describe their action.
"そっと" implies a gentle and quiet action. Slamming doors is the opposite of gentle and quiet.
The baby is sleeping, so close the door gently.
He quietly handed me the letter.
The cat softly came into the room.
Read this aloud:
そっとペンを置いてください。
Focus: そっと (sotto)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
彼女はそっと立ち上がった。
Focus: そっと (sotto)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
そっと触ってください。
Focus: そっと (sotto)
Tu as dit :
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Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼はドアを___閉めた。
「そっと」means gently or quietly, which fits the context of closing a door without making noise. 「ずっと」means continuously, 「きっと」means surely, and 「もっと」means more.
Which sentence best uses 「そっと」?
「そっと」implies gentleness and quietness. Patting a shoulder gently (そっと叩いた) aligns with this meaning. Speaking loudly, barking, or running around don't fit with 'gently' or 'quietly'.
You want to move a sleeping cat without waking it. Which action would you describe with 「そっと」?
To move a sleeping cat without waking it, you would lift it gently and quietly. This is the core meaning of 「そっと」. Throwing it, hitting it, or talking to it might disturb it.
If you walk 「そっと」, you are walking loudly.
「そっと」 means quietly, so walking 「そっと」 means walking without making noise.
You can use 「そっと」 to describe placing a fragile object down carefully.
「そっと」 means gently and carefully, making it suitable for describing placing a fragile object down without breaking it.
「そっと」 implies a sudden and forceful action.
「そっと」 describes an action that is gentle, quiet, and careful, not sudden or forceful.
The baby is sleeping, so close the door...
He placed his hand... on her shoulder.
The wind is moving the curtains...
Read this aloud:
花瓶をそっとテーブルに置いた。
Focus: そっと (sotto)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
彼はそっと部屋を出て行った。
Focus: そっと (sotto)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
彼女は私の手にそっと触れた。
Focus: そっと (sotto)
Tu as dit :
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Imagine you're trying not to wake a sleeping baby. Describe what you do, using 'そっと' at least once. (日本語で書いてください)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
赤ちゃんが寝ているので、私はそっと部屋を出ました。音を立てないように、ドアもそっと閉めました。
You need to retrieve a fragile item from a high shelf without breaking anything. Explain your actions, incorporating 'そっと'. (日本語で説明してください)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
高い棚から壊れやすい花瓶を降ろすために、私は椅子に乗って、両手でそっとそれを取りました。
Describe a situation where you had to move something delicate or a living creature carefully. Use 'そっと' in your description. (日本語で書いてください)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
庭で小さな鳥が怪我をしていたので、私はタオルでそっと包んで、動物病院に連れて行きました。
この文脈で「そっと」は何を強調していますか？
Read this passage:
彼女は疲れていたので、部屋の電気をそっと消し、ベッドに横になった。隣の部屋で子供が寝ているのを気遣い、物音一つ立てなかった。静かに目を閉じ、深い眠りについた。
この文脈で「そっと」は何を強調していますか？
彼女が子供を起こさないように、静かに、そして配慮しながら行動したことを強調しています。
彼女が子供を起こさないように、静かに、そして配慮しながら行動したことを強調しています。
筆者が「そっと」近づいた理由として最も適切なものはどれですか？
Read this passage:
新しい猫はまだ家に慣れていないようだった。私は彼を驚かせないように、そっと近づいて餌を置いた。彼は少しずつ警戒を解き、ゆっくりと食べ始めた。
筆者が「そっと」近づいた理由として最も適切なものはどれですか？
新しい猫がまだ家に慣れていないため、驚かせないように配慮して静かに近づいた、という文脈です。
新しい猫がまだ家に慣れていないため、驚かせないように配慮して静かに近づいた、という文脈です。
この文章で「そっと」が示唆している行動の目的は何ですか？
Read this passage:
古い書物を開くときは、紙が劣化しているので注意が必要です。特にページをめくる際は、そっと触れないと破れてしまうことがあります。歴史的な価値のあるものなので、大切に扱わなければなりません。
この文章で「そっと」が示唆している行動の目的は何ですか？
古い書物の紙が劣化しているため、破れないように優しく扱う必要があることを強調しています。
古い書物の紙が劣化しているため、破れないように優しく扱う必要があることを強調しています。
彼女は赤ちゃんが眠っている部屋から___ドアを閉めた。
「そっと」は、静かに、優しく、または注意深く行動する様子を表します。ここでは、赤ちゃんを起こさないように静かにドアを閉める状況に合致します。
彼は友人の秘密を___胸の奥にしまっておいた。
「そっと」は、他人に知られないように、注意深く秘密を隠す様子を表すのに適切です。
壊れやすい花瓶をテーブルに___置いた。
「そっと」は、壊れやすいものを注意深く、優しく扱う様子を表します。
鳥は私の手のひらに___降り立ち、すぐに飛び立った。
「そっと」は、鳥が静かに、そして優しく手のひらに降り立つ様子を適切に表現します。
夜中に部屋を移動するときは、家族を起こさないように___歩いた。
「そっと」は、音を立てずに静かに歩く様子を表すのに適しています。
彼女は彼の肩に___手を置き、慰めの言葉をかけた。
「そっと」は、相手を気遣い、優しく手を置く様子を表現するのに最適です。
彼女は赤ちゃんが眠っている部屋に___入っていった。
「そっと」は、音を立てずに静かに行動する様子を表します。赤ちゃんを起こさないように静かに入る、という文脈に合います。
彼は、壊れやすい花瓶をテーブルに___置いた。
「そっと」は、優しく、注意深く扱う様子を表します。壊れやすい花瓶を傷つけないように置く、という文脈に合います。
先生は生徒の肩に___手を置き、励ました。
「そっと」は、優しく、相手に不快感を与えないように触れる様子を表します。励ますために優しく手を置く、という文脈に合います。
彼は秘密の手紙を誰にも見られないように___ポケットにしまった。
「そっと」は、こっそりと、人目を避けるように行動する様子を表します。秘密の手紙を隠す、という文脈に合います。
病気の友人の部屋から、私は___立ち去った。
「そっと」は、相手を気遣い、静かに行動する様子を表します。病気の友人を邪魔しないように立ち去る、という文脈に合います。
風が窓を___開けた。
「そっと」は、自然の力などが静かに、ゆっくりと作用する様子を表すこともあります。風が静かに窓を開ける、という文脈に合います。
This sentence describes someone gently opening a door so as not to wake a sleeping child. 'そっと' (sotto) modifies the action of '開ける' (akeru - to open), indicating it's done quietly and carefully. The structure '〜ないように' (nai you ni) expresses the purpose of not doing something.
Here, 'そっと' (sotto) describes how she walked down the hallway – gently and quietly, '足音を立てずに' (ashioto o tatezu ni) reinforces the idea of not making a sound.
This sentence conveys the careful action of placing a vase on the table. 'そっと' (sotto) and '大事に' (daiji ni - carefully, with care) both emphasize the gentle handling to prevent breaking it.
/ 66 correct
Perfect score!
そっと means gently or quietly
そっと (sotto) is an adverb that means gently, quietly, or softly. It implies an action done with care, without making noise or disturbing anything.
Use for careful actions
You can use そっと when someone is doing something very carefully, like closing a door so it doesn't slam, or placing something down lightly.
そっと as quietly
It often describes actions done quietly, such as sneaking out of a room so as not to wake someone.
そっと as softly
Think of it as performing an action softly, like touching something delicate.
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