Word

软 (ruǎn) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 5

Meaning of 软

形 xíng adjective

soft

这个枕头很软。

zhè ge zhěn tou hěn ruǎn

This pillow is very soft.

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Word breakdown

软 ruǎn — soft

1 软件 ruǎn jiàn — software HSK 5
- 软 soft (as opposed to hardware)
- 件 item, component, piece
Example

我需要安装新的软件。

wǒ xū yào ān zhuāng xīn de ruǎn jiàn

I need to install new software.
2 柔软 róu ruǎn — soft HSK 6
- 柔 gentle, pliant
- 软 soft, flexible
Example

这个枕头很柔软。

zhè ge zhěn tou hěn róu ruǎn

This pillow is very soft.
3 软实力 ruǎn shí lì — soft power HSK 7
- 软 soft, flexible (as opposed to hard/coercive)
- 实 real, actual (forms compound meaning 'strength/power')
- 力 power, strength, force
Example

中国通过文化交流增强软实力。

Zhōng guó tōng guò wén huà jiāo liú zēng qiáng ruǎn shí lì

China enhances its soft power through cultural exchange.
4 软弱 ruǎn ruò — weak HSK 7
- 软 soft, lacking firmness
- 弱 weak, lacking strength
Example

他性格太软弱，不敢说出自己的想法。

tā xìng gé tài ruǎn ruò bù gǎn shuō chū zì jǐ de xiǎng fǎ

He's too weak in character and doesn't dare express his own thoughts.

Structure & writing

1 软 ruǎn — soft, not firm (opposite of 硬)

软 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 车 chē — wheeled land vehicle

车 is a component in 27 characters

HSK 3

轻 qīng light in weight; low in density (opposite of '重') 较 jiào to compare (size, degree, etc.) 辆 liàng measure word for vehicles

HSK 4

转 zhuǎn to rotate; to change direction or situation 输 shū to transport from one place to another 连 lián to connect, to link

HSK 5

军 jūn armed forces; military 库 kù storehouse; warehouse; storage facility 软 ruǎn soft, not firm (opposite of 硬) 载 zài to load (onto a vehicle or vessel) 辑 jí to collect and compile (materials into a book)

Show more HSK 5 characters (+1)

阵 zhèn battle formation (arrangement of troops in combat)

HSK 6

轨 guǐ the distance between two wheels of a vehicle; rut left by wheels 轮 lún wheel 辅 fǔ to assist; to aid 辈 bèi generation; order of seniority in a family

HSK 7

撵 niǎn to expel, drive away 斩 zhǎn to chop off; to behead 舆 yú (lit.) carriage; cart 轰 hōng boom; bang (sound of thunder, cannon, explosion, etc.) 轴 zhóu axle; shaft (cylindrical mechanical part around which wheels or components rotate)

Show more HSK 7 characters (+6)

轿 jiào sedan chair; a traditional enclosed conveyance of bamboo or wood, draped with cloth, carried by bearers or on horseback 辐 fú spoke (of a wheel) 辕 yuán the two shafts at the front of a large cart for harnessing animals 辖 xiá linchpin (iron pin through an axle hub to keep the wheel in place) 辗 zhǎn used in "辗转": ① tossing and turning (of the body); ② passing through many places or hands; moving in a roundabout way 辙 zhé rut; track left by a wheel

1.2 欠 qiàn — to yawn (open the mouth when tired)

欠 is a component in 18 characters

HSK 1

欢 huān joyful, happy 歌 gē song; lyrics that can be sung

HSK 2

次 cì order; rank

HSK 3

饮 yǐn to drink; especially to drink alcohol

HSK 4

吹 chuī to blow (air from the mouth) 歉 qiàn poor harvest (opposite of 丰)

HSK 5

欣 xīn joyful, delighted 欧 Ōu 款 kuǎn sincere; hospitable 软 ruǎn soft, not firm (opposite of 硬)

HSK 6

欲 yù desire; craving for something or wish to achieve a goal 欺 qī to deceive, to cheat 歇 xiē to rest 砍 kǎn to chop or hack with a knife, axe, etc.

HSK 7

坎 kǎn one of the Eight Trigrams, symbol '☵', representing water 嵌 qiàn to inlay; to embed a smaller piece into a recess of a larger object (often decorative) 炊 chuī to cook (a meal), to make a fire for cooking 钦 qīn to admire; to respect

Stroke order