1.
to soothe, to calm down, to pacify
To comfort or placate someone who is upset, angry, or crying, using gentle words or actions.
泣いている子を宥める。
To soothe a crying child.
怒っている妻を何とか宥めた。
I somehow managed to calm down my angry wife.
「落ち着いて」と言って、興奮している彼を宥めようとした。
Saying "Calm down," I tried to pacify him as he was worked up.
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Pattern: Xを宥める.
USAGE:
Used when dealing with someone in an emotional state — crying, angry, or panicking. The subject is always trying to restore calm through words, gestures, or comfort.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 子供を宥める: to soothe a child
- 怒りを宥める: to calm someone's anger
- 泣いている人を宥める: to comfort someone who is crying
SIMILAR WORDS:
落ち着かせる means "to make someone calm down" and is more neutral. 宥める implies a gentler, more soothing approach, often with words of comfort. 慰める (to console) focuses more on emotional comfort after loss or sadness, whereas 宥める focuses on calming active distress.