Entry
そよそよ
soyosoyo
A gentle and pleasant breeze blowing softly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes the soft, gentle blowing of the wind. It usually implies a light breeze that feels pleasant and peaceful, often associated with nice weather like in springtime.
- gentle breeze
- softly blowing wind
Sense Map
Gentle Breeze
Describes a light, pleasant wind blowing softly without strong force.
風がそよそよ吹く。
Swaying in the Wind
Describes things like leaves or branches moving slightly due to a gentle breeze.
枝がそよそよ揺れる。
Usage Note
How to Use
そよそよと + verb
The most common way to use this word, usually modifying verbs like 'to blow' (吹く) or 'to sway' (揺れる).
そよそよ + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
そよそよ吹く
to blow gently
風がそよそよ
gentle breeze
そよそよと揺れる
to sway gently
春風がそよそよと
spring breeze blowing gently
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weather descriptions | positive | Sets a peaceful, comfortable scene. |
| Winter wind | incorrect | Usually feels too cold to be 'soyosoyo'; cold winds use different words. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
びゅーびゅー びゅーびゅー / opposite | Use for strong, howling winds. | Does not have the gentle, pleasant feeling of soyosoyo. | 風がビュービュー吹く。 |
すうすう すうすう / similar | Use for wind coming through a narrow crack, or feeling a draft. | Not for an open, pleasant outdoor breeze. | 隙間風がすうすうする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a strong typhoon wind.
Soyosoyo is strictly for soft, light breezes.
Using it to describe a person's gentle personality.
It describes wind, not human temperament.
Examples
Examples
春の風がそよそよと吹いている。
春[はる]の風[かぜ]がそよそよと吹[ふ]いている。
The spring wind is blowing gently.
LiteralDescribes a comfortable wind.
窓からそよそよと涼しい風が入ってくる。
窓[まど]からそよそよと涼[すず]しい風[かぜ]が入[はい]ってくる。
A cool breeze is coming in gently through the window.
LiteralFocuses on the gentle flow of air.
木の葉がそよそよと揺れている。
木[き]の葉[は]がそよそよと揺[ゆ]れている。
The tree leaves are swaying gently in the breeze.
VisualDescribes the movement of light objects due to the wind.
そよそよ吹く風が心地よい。
そよそよ吹[ふ]く風[かぜ]が心地[ここち]よい。
The gently blowing wind feels pleasant.
LiteralUses soyosoyo directly before the verb.
海辺をそよそよと風が通り抜けた。
海辺[うみべ]をそよそよと風[かぜ]が通[とお]り抜[ぬ]けた。
A gentle breeze blew through the seaside.
VisualIndicates a peaceful outdoor scene.
Similar Words
Questions
Can I say a person speaks 'soyosoyo'?
No, this word is exclusively for the wind or things moved by a gentle breeze.
What is the difference between soyosoyo and byubyu?
Soyosoyo is a soft, pleasant breeze, while byubyu is a strong, noisy, howling wind.
Do I always need 'to' (と) after soyosoyo?
It is often used with 'to' (そよそよと), but the 'to' can sometimes be dropped in casual speech or poetry.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2121370
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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