Explore 軟 in physical softness and in words for flexibility. Learn each reading with a complete word.

The idea

軟 has 11 strokes. Follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 軟らかい is やわらかい; compounds such as 柔軟, 軟骨 and 軟膏 use なん. 柔軟な modifies a noun, while 柔軟に modifies a verb.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingMeaning in context
軟らかいやわらかいThe bread is soft.
柔軟じゅうなんShe has a flexible way of thinking.
軟骨なんこつCartilage supports the joints.
軟膏なんこうThis ointment is applied to the skin.

Examples

  • パンは軟やわらかいです。The bread is soft.
  • にんじんを軟やわらかくなるまで煮にてください。Cook the carrots until soft.
  • 彼女かのじょは柔軟じゅうなんな考かんがえ方かたをしています。She has a flexible way of thinking.
  • 変化へんかに柔軟じゅうなんに対応たいおうする必要ひつようがあります。We need a flexible response to change.
  • 軟骨なんこつは関節かんせつを支ささえます。Cartilage supports the joints.
  • この軟膏なんこうを皮膚ひふに塗ぬります。This ointment is applied to the skin.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

柔らかい is also commonly written with 柔; both spellings read やわらかい. 柔軟 describes flexibility, whereas 軟骨 is cartilage, not a flexible attitude.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 軟らかい in hiragana.

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    やわらかい

    軟らかい is やわらかい: the adjective describes something soft.

  2. Write the reading of 柔軟 in hiragana.

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    じゅうなん

    柔軟 is じゅうなん; the compound uses なん for 軟.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿骨（なんこつ）［軟／車］.

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    軟

    軟 completes 軟骨（なんこつ）, meaning cartilage.

Use it today

Write 軟 using the diagram, then cover the examples and make a sentence with 柔軟に.