Definitions

róu (adjective) soft; flexible; supple; yielding

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the sound and represents the meaning.

About

The character "柔" finds its etymological basis in the combination of "矛", denoting a spear, and "木", representing wood, a structure that originally pointed to the pliant nature of wood suitable for crafting flexible spear shafts. This initial conception centered on physical bendability and suppleness gradually extended its semantic reach beyond material properties to describe gentle human conduct, mild manners, and a yielding yet resilient quality in various contexts. Over time, its meaning evolved from a concrete attribute of objects to abstract applications characterizing softness, tenderness, and adaptive strength, all while its graphical form remained consistent, carrying these layered associations through historical use.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她很温

Tā hěn wēnróu.

She is very gentle.

他的声音很和。

Tā de shēngyīn hěn róuhé.

His voice is very soft and gentle.

丝绸摸起来很软。

Sīcháo mō qǐlái hěn róuruǎn.

Silk feels very soft.

她以克刚地解决了冲突。

Tā yǐ róu kè gāng de jiějuéle chōngtū.

She resolved the conflict by using softness to overcome hardness.

月光和地洒在湖面上。

Yuèguāng róuhé de sǎ zài húmiàn shàng.

The moonlight softly spills onto the surface of the lake.

道是一种以为主的武术。

Róudào shì yī zhǒng yǐ róu wéi zhǔ de wǔshù.

Judo is a martial art that primarily emphasizes softness (flexibility).

春风轻地拂过新生的嫩芽。

Chūnfēng qīngróu de fúguò xīnshēng de nènyá.

The spring breeze gently brushes past the newly sprouted buds.

他刚强的外表下藏着一颗善的心。

Tā gāngqiáng de wàibiǎo xià cángzhe yī kē róu shàn de xīn.

Beneath his strong exterior lies a kind and gentle heart.