1.
to stroke, to pat, to caress
To move one's hand gently over something or someone, often affectionately.
猫の頭を撫でる。
Pat the cat on the head.
子供の髪を優しく撫でた。
I gently stroked the child's hair.
犬は撫でられるのが好きだ。
Dogs like being petted.
Passive form
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Pattern: Xを撫でる (to stroke X).
ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action. 撫でている = 'is stroking.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 頭を撫でる (to pat on the head)
- 背中を撫でる (to stroke one's back)
- 髪を撫でる (to stroke hair)
- 撫で下ろす (to stroke downward - also: to feel relieved)
IDIOM: 胸を撫で下ろす - to feel relieved (lit. 'stroke down one's chest').
CULTURAL NOTE: Stroking a child's head is a common sign of affection in Japan. The expression 頭を撫でる often appears in positive contexts.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 触る - to touch (neutral)
- 叩く - to tap, pat (with more force)