Definition
服软 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to admit defeat, concede, or apologize' — it describes the act of yielding after resistance, whether in an argument, a competition, or a personal conflict. The verb 服 ('submit to') and the adjective 软 ('soft') split when you insert a complement or aspect marker: 服了软 ('conceded'), 服过软 ('has conceded before'). You can also use it with 跟/对 to specify the person you yield to: 跟他服软 ('admit defeat to him').
v.o.
to admit defeatto concedeto apologizeto yield (to persuasion)
Examples
- ，服软。Tā yī kāishǐ bù kěn rèn cuò, zuìhòu háishì fú le.He refused to admit his mistake at first, but in the end he conceded.
- ，服软。Zài zhēngchǎo zhōng, tā cónglái bù kěn gēn duìfāng fú.In an argument, she never yields to the other side.
- ，。Tā zhè cì zhōngyú fú le ruǎn, xiàng māma dào le qiàn.This time he finally gave in and apologized to his mom.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.