1To rub, stroke, or gently pass the hand over the surface of the body or an object — often to soothe, comfort, or warm a sore or tired spot. Softer and more caring than こする (to scrub/scrape hard). Usually written in kana.
お腹が痛いと泣く子どもの背中を、そっとさすった。
I gently rubbed the back of my child, who was crying that their stomach hurt.
転んで打ったひざを、痛くないよとさすってあげた。
I rubbed the knee they'd banged in the fall, telling them it was okay.
祖母は肩が凝ったと言って、いつも肩をさすっている。
My grandmother is always rubbing her shoulders, saying they're stiff.
緊張している友人の腕をさすって、落ち着かせた。
I rubbed my nervous friend's arm to calm them down.