- naderu to stroke, to caress, to brush gently, to pat, to rub; to comb (hair), to smooth down
Everyday verb for gently stroking or smoothing with the hand; softer and more affectionate than 擦る (suru, to rub).
犬の頭を撫でてあげた。
Inu no atama o nadete ageta.
I stroked the dog's head.
母は赤ちゃんの髪を優しく撫でた。
Haha wa akachan no kami o yasashiku nadeta.
The mother gently stroked the baby's hair.
⚖️ Don't confuse with 舐める (nameru, to lick); 撫でる uses the hand, 舐める uses the tongue.
Press the microphone and say: 撫でる
Ready to listen
💡 Remove る and add ます (polite), て-form, or た (past).
Found in a wide range of contexts. Useful for building reading and listening fluency.
Save personal notes for every word you study — memory hooks, your own sentences, grammar tips, and personal stories.
Synced to your account · Anki export · Accessible on every device
Create Free AccountReview Premium options
Create a free account to sync your level, streaks, and progress across all devices.
Already a member? Sign in →
Sign in or create a free account to keep your history.
Reset mastery for this word?
Review scheduling updates after each session.
Based on JLPT level, kanji complexity & word length.