软

軟
ruǎn
HSK 4
#1,041 most
frequent character
soft, flexible
adjective

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

软 has 车 cart for meaning. It first meant packing plants onto a cart's wheels to make the ride softer. From a softer ride came the meaning 'soft,' then weak, low quality, and pliant. The other part 欠 is now empty; it was shorthand for 耎 ruǎn, the old sound part.

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Example Sentences

这件衣服很软。
zhè jiàn yīfú hěn ruǎn 。
This piece of clothing is very soft.
我喜欢软的床垫。
wǒ xǐhuān ruǎn de chuángdiàn 。
I like soft mattresses.
这个球非常软，适合小孩玩。
zhègè qiú fēicháng ruǎn ， shìhé xiǎohái wán 。
This ball is very soft and suitable for children to play with.

Words with similar meanings

柔软róuruǎn
flexible
柔软 emphasizes a softness that can be more artistic or poetic, often used for materials.
软乎乎ruǎnhūhū
cuddly
软乎乎 is a more colloquial and descriptive term that suggests a very pleasant, soft, and warm feeling.

Words Starting With 软

软件ruǎn jiàn
(computer) software

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Public Lists with 软

HSK 4
All words for the HSK 4 test
Common Adjectives
Descriptive words for size, quality, temperature, mood, and more.