Entry
そっと
sotto
Describes an action performed very quietly, gently, or stealthily to avoid making noise, or leaving a person or situation as is.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used when someone performs an action with care so as not to make a sound, cause an impact, or disturb others. Additionally, it is heavily used in the set phrase そっとしておく (sotto shite oku), which means to give someone space or leave a situation alone out of consideration.
- Gentle physical actions without noise
- Moving stealthily without being noticed
- Leaving someone or something alone
Sense Map
Gentle Physical Action
Performing a physical action slowly and carefully to avoid making noise or causing an impact, such as closing a door or placing an object.
ドアをそっと閉める
Stealthy Action
Moving or doing something without drawing attention or without being noticed by others.
部屋をそっと抜け出す
Leaving Alone
Giving someone space by not interfering, often because they are upset or need time to themselves.
今はそっとしておく
Usage Note
How to Use
そっと + verb
Used directly before a verb to describe that the action is done gently, softly, or quietly.
そっとしておく
A fixed phrase meaning to leave a situation as it is, or to leave someone alone without bothering them.
How to Use
Common Phrases
そっと置く
place gently
そっと閉める
close softly
そっと覗く
peek quietly
そっとしておく
leave alone
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Placing or moving objects | Neutral | Means performing the action without making a loud clanking or slamming noise. |
| Moving around someone sleeping | Positive | Shows consideration and caution to avoid waking the person up. |
| Dealing with a heartbroken friend | Positive | Used as そっとしておく meaning the best action is to give them time alone. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
こっそり こっそり / similar | Use when the primary focus is intentionally hiding an action from others so as not to be found out (secrecy). | そっと focuses on physical gentleness to avoid noise or showing consideration, whereas こっそり is purely about hiding intent or action from plain sight. | こっそりお菓子を食べる |
ひっそり ひっそり / similar | Use to describe the state of a place being quiet, deserted, or inconspicuous. | そっと describes how a person performs an action, while ひっそり describes the atmosphere or state of a location. | ひっそりと暮らす |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to describe a quiet place.
Use ひっそり for quiet, deserted places. そっと is an adverb modifying how a person does an action.
Thinking そっとしておく means ignoring someone out of anger.
The phrase usually carries good intentions, meaning you are giving them space out of consideration (e.g., they are sad), not because you are mad at them.
Examples
Examples
赤ちゃんが寝ているので、ドアをそっと閉めた。
あかちゃん が ねている ので、 ドア を そっと しめた。
Because the baby is sleeping, I closed the door softly.
VisualShows a physical action done slowly to avoid making noise.
起こさないように、机の上にグラスをそっと置いた。
おこさない ように、 つくえ の うえ に グラス を そっと おいた。
So as not to wake them, I gently placed the glass on the desk.
VisualFocuses on avoiding the sound of objects clashing.
先生に気づかれないように、教室をそっと抜け出した。
せんせい に きづかれない ように、 きょうしつ を そっと ぬけだした。
So as not to be noticed by the teacher, I quietly slipped out of the classroom.
LiteralDescribes moving stealthily to avoid drawing attention.
彼女はひどく落ち込んでいるようだったので、今日はそっとしておいた。
かのじょ は ひどく おちこんでいる よう だった ので、 きょう は そっとしておいた。
Because she seemed really depressed, I left her alone today.
FigurativeUses the fixed phrase to give space or time alone out of consideration.
傷ついた小鳥を両手でそっと包み込んだ。
きずついた ことり を りょうて で そっと つつみこんだ。
I gently wrapped the injured little bird in both hands.
VisualShows a very careful action so as not to hurt something fragile.
Similar Words
こっそり
kossori
Doing something secretly or stealthily so that others do not notice. More focused on hiding the action to avoid being found out (secretive).
ひっそり
hissori
ひっそり describes a quiet and still state due to the absence of people, or a modest, inconspicuous way of living. Describes the atmosphere or state of a place being quiet and deserted.
Questions
What is the difference between そっと and こっそり?
Both can translate to stealthily, but こっそり focuses on secrecy and hiding an action, while そっと focuses on physical gentleness to avoid making noise.
What does そっとしておく mean?
It is a very common phrase that means to leave alone. It is used when you decide not to interfere with a person or situation.
Can I use this for a quiet room?
No. This word describes an action. For a quiet room or place, use words like 静か (shizuka) or ひっそり (hissori).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1006810
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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