Definition
以柔克刚 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'using softness to overcome hardness'. It describes the strategy of defeating a strong opponent or solving a tough problem through gentleness, flexibility, or indirect methods — similar to the English saying 'water wears away stone'. You can use it in martial arts, negotiation, conflict resolution, or any situation where yielding and adaptability win over brute force.
f.e.
to overcome hardness with softnessto use gentle means to defeat a strong force
Examples
- 以柔克刚，。Tàijíquán jiǎngjiu yǐ róu kè gāng, yòng qiǎo jìn huàjiě duìshǒu de lìliàng.Tai chi emphasizes overcoming hardness with softness, using skilled force to neutralize an opponent's strength.
- ，以柔克刚，。Zài tánpàn zhōng, tā cǎiyòng yǐ róu kè gāng de cèlüè, zuìzhōng dáchéng le xiéyì.In the negotiation, he adopted a strategy of using softness to overcome hardness and finally reached an agreement.
- ，以柔克刚，。Shuǐ suīrán róuruǎn, dàn yǐ róu kè gāng, chángnián lěiyuè yě néng dī chuān shítou.Water may be soft, but it overcomes hardness with softness — over years it can drip through stone.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.