Definitions

ruǎn (adjective) soft; flexible
ruǎn (adjective) weak; pliable

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The traditional character 軟 is composed of the radical 車, meaning "vehicle", and the component 欠, denoting "to lack", which together etymologically imply a deficiency in hardness, such as a cart's flexible parts. This structure conveyed the original sense of physical pliability, and over centuries, the meaning broadened to include metaphorical applications like mildness or lack of firmness in disposition. The simplified form 软 retains the phonetic element 欠 while incorporating the simplified radical 车, continuing to represent the concept of softness without altering the fundamental semantic association derived from its components.

Example Sentences Hide

这个面包很

Zhège miànbāo hěn ruǎn.

This bread is very soft.

我喜欢吃糖。

Wǒ xǐhuan chī ruǎntáng.

I like to eat soft candy.

沙发坐起来非常柔

Shāfā zuò qǐlái fēichāng róuruǎn.

The sofa feels very soft to sit on.

他的态度突然变了。

Tā de tàidù tūrán biàn ruǎn le.

His attitude suddenly softened.

这个件非常好用。

Zhège ruǎnjiàn fēichāng hǎo yòng.

This software is very easy to use.

她是个心的人,容易原谅别人。

Tā shì gè xīnruǎn de rén, róngyì yuánliàng biérén.

She is a soft-hearted person who easily forgives others.

经过长时间的谈判,对方的立场有所化。

Jīngguò cháng shíjiān de tánpàn, duìfāng de lìchǎng yǒu suǒ ruǎnhuà.

After lengthy negotiations, the other side's stance has softened somewhat.

在经济疲的时期,投资需要格外谨慎。

Zài jīngjì píruǎn de shíqī, tóuzī xūyào géwài jǐnshèn.

During periods of economic weakness, investment requires extra caution.