Definition
软 (ruǎn) primarily means 'soft to the touch' (e.g., fabric, skin) and also 'flexible, pliable' for materials. Unlike 柔软 (róuruǎn), which focuses purely on physical softness, 软 can extend to personality ('too soft, weak-willed'). For 'flexible' in a figurative sense (schedules, thinking), use 灵活 (línghuó) instead.
adjective
soft (to the touch or in texture)flexiblepliable
Easily confused
- 轻qīnglook-alikelight (in weight, not heavy)
- 吹chuīlook-aliketo blow (of wind or by mouth)
Examples
- 软。Tā de máoyī mō qǐlai hěn ruǎn.Her sweater feels very soft.
- 软，。Zhè zhǒng sùliào hěn ruǎn, néng zhé lái zhé qù.This kind of plastic is very flexible and can be bent back and forth.
- 软，。Tā xìnggé tài ruǎn, zǒngshì bù gǎn jùjué biérén.His personality is too soft — he never dares to refuse others.
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