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そっと
sotto
gently, quietly, softly
そっとドアを閉めた
I closed the door gently.
informal
In a quiet, gentle, or careful manner; without making noise or causing disturbance.
そっと赤ちゃんを抱いた
I held the baby gently.
そっと話しかける
to speak softly to someone
Often used to describe actions that require delicacy or subtlety, such as handling fragile objects or interacting with someone in a sensitive situation.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning can shift slightly depending on context. For example, 'そっとしておく' can mean 'to leave someone alone' or 'to let something be'.
Gold Rule
Gentleness and Quietness
Always conveys a sense of delicacy or subtlety, whether in physical actions or emotional interactions.
Word Origin
Derived from the onomatopoeic root 'そ' (soft sound) combined with the adverbial suffix 'っと' to indicate manner.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe actions that require gentleness or quietness. Can also imply caution or secrecy in certain contexts.
Word Breakdown
そ
soft sound
rootっと
adverbial suffix indicating manner
suffix和英辞典