软 ruǎn soft
soft; pliable; flexible
How to remember 软: 车 car + 欠 to lack = soft. Grandpa's old car is lacking air in every tyre, and he laughs that the ride feels soft.
Component breakdown
软 = 车 car + 欠 to lack
- 车 car
- 欠 to lack
Grandpa's old car is lacking air in every tyre, and he laughs that the ride feels soft.
How it is used
- Soft/pliable, physically and figuratively. 柔软 (róuruǎn) soft to the touch - 柔软的沙发 (róuruǎn de shāfā) a soft sofa.
- 软 vs 硬 (yìng): the standard soft/hard antonym pair. 软弱 (ruǎnruò) means weak-willed (a person, character).
- Tech life: 软件 (ruǎnjiàn) software (vs 硬件 hardware); 软实力 (ruǎnshílì) soft power in politics.