Meaning
The kanji 軟 (nan, yawa) primarily means 'soft', 'flexible', or 'tender'. It describes anything that lacks hardness, rigidity, or inherent strength, allowing it to bend, yield, or be easily influenced. This broad definition applies to physical objects, such as soft fabrics or tender meat, as well as abstract ideas, like a gentle approach or a weak personality. Essentially, 軟 implies a lack of resistance or firmness.
To understand its meaning, consider its visual components. The left side of 軟 features the radical 革 (kawa), which signifies 'leather'. Tanned and processed leather is known for its softness and flexibility, a stark contrast to its initial rigid state. The right side is 欠 (ketsu), meaning 'lack' or 'yawn'. While 欠 often acts as a phonetic component in other kanji, here it can be interpreted as representing a 'lack' of hardness or rigidity. Combined, these elements evoke an image of 'leather lacking hardness' or 'soft leather', effectively conveying the core sense of pliability and gentleness.
As a Joyo Kanji with 11 strokes, 軟 is among the characters designated for everyday use in Japan. While it doesn't have a specific Kyoiku (school grade) designation, students typically encounter it as they progress towards the JLPT N2 level, reflecting its frequent use in various contexts.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi reading for 軟 is ナン (NAN). This reading is frequently used in compound words, especially those with a more formal or technical nuance, conveying concepts of softness, flexibility, or weakness.
- 軟弱 (nanjaku) — weakness; spinelessness; flabbiness
This term describes a state of physical or mental weakness, often implying a lack of resolve or courage. For instance, a 軟弱な青年 () might lack the determination to face challenges.
- 柔軟 (juunan) — flexible; soft; pliable; adaptable
This compound is widely used for physical flexibility (e.g., 柔軟な体 - a flexible body) or mental adaptability (e.g., 柔軟な考え方 - a flexible mindset).
- 軟化 (nanka) — softening; mollification; appeasement
This refers to the act of becoming soft or softening, both literally (e.g., バターが軟化する - butter softening) and figuratively (e.g., a policy becoming less strict or attitudes softening).
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary Kun'yomi reading for 軟 is やわ (yawa), most commonly seen in the adjective やわらかい (yawarakai) or the noun/na-adjective stem やわらか (yawaraka). These readings are used for native Japanese words that directly describe the quality of being soft or tender.
- 柔らかい (yawarakai) — soft; tender; gentle; supple
This common i-adjective describes anything physically soft to the touch, like a 柔らかいパン (soft bread), a 柔らかいセーター (soft sweater), or even a 柔らかい声 (soft voice). It can also imply gentleness.
- 軟らかい (yawarakai) — soft; tender; gentle; supple
While 柔らかい is the more common spelling, 軟らかい is also used and carries the exact same meaning. It explicitly uses the kanji 軟 to represent the 'soft' quality. Both are equally valid.
- 柔らか (yawaraka) — soft; tender; gentle (often as part of a noun or na-adjective)
This form can function as a noun meaning 'softness' or as the stem of a na-adjective, as in 柔らかな手触り (a soft feel) or 柔らかな光 (soft light).
Common Words & Compounds
Beyond its basic readings, the kanji 軟 appears in many compound words, covering everything from daily life to scientific terms. Exploring these compounds will deepen your understanding of the kanji's diverse applications.
- 軟水 (nansui) — soft water
Water with a low concentration of minerals, commonly found in certain regions, unlike hard water.
- 硬軟 (kōnan) — hard and soft; rigidity and flexibility
This term describes opposing qualities or approaches, such as "hardline" versus "softline" tactics in negotiations.
- 軟膏 (nankō) — ointment; salve
A soft, semi-solid medicinal preparation applied to the skin, like a healing cream.
- 軟骨 (nankotsu) — cartilage
The flexible connective tissue found in many parts of the body, such as the nose and ears.
- 軟着陸 (nanchakuriku) — soft landing
A gentle and controlled landing, often used for aircraft or spacecraft, that avoids damage.
- 柔軟剤 (juunanzai) — fabric softener
A liquid added during laundry to make clothes feel softer and less stiff.
- 軟派 (nanpa) — lady-killer; philanderer; playboy; (originally) soft faction
This word describes a man who frequently tries to pick up women. Historically, it also referred to a political faction advocating a less aggressive or "soft" stance.
- 軟体動物 (nantai dōbutsu) — mollusk; invertebrate
A phylum of invertebrate animals characterized by soft bodies, often protected by a shell, like snails or octopuses.
- 軟弱者 (nanjakumono) — weakling; coward
A derogatory term for someone physically or morally weak, lacking courage or backbone.
- 軟禁 (nankin) — house arrest; detention
The act of confining someone to their home or a specific location, rather than formal imprisonment.
- 軟調 (nanchō) — weak (market); soft (tone)
Often used in finance to describe a weak or sluggish market trend, or in music to describe a soft tone.
Example Sentences
このパンはとても軟らかくておいしいです。
Kono pan wa totemo yawarakakute oishii desu.
This bread is very soft and delicious.
柔軟体操は体を軟らかくするために重要です。
Jūnan taisō wa karada o yawarakaku suru tame ni jūyō desu.
Flexibility exercises are important for making your body flexible.
先生は生徒たちに軟らかい物言いで話しかけました。
Sensei wa seito-tachi ni yawarakai monoii de hanashikakemashita.
The teacher spoke to the students in a gentle tone.
この素材は非常に柔軟性があり、どんな形にも変えられます。
Kono sozai wa hijō ni jūnansei ga ari, donna katachi ni mo kaeraremasu.
This material is extremely flexible and can be molded into any shape.
彼の軟弱な態度に、皆が失望しました。
Kare no nanjaku na taido ni, mina ga shitsubō shimashita.
Everyone was disappointed by his spineless attitude.
宇宙船は月面に軟着陸を成功させました。
Uchūsen wa getsumen ni nanchakuriku o seikō sasemashita.
The spacecraft made a successful soft landing on the lunar surface.
交渉は難航したが、最終的に両者は軟化し合意に達した。
Kōshō wa nankō shita ga, saishūteki ni ryōsha wa nanka shi gōi ni tasshita.
Negotiations were difficult, but eventually both sides softened and reached an agreement.
彼女は子どもの軟らかい手を優しく握った。
Kanojo wa kodomo no yawarakai te o yasashiku nigitta.
She gently held the child's soft hand.
医療用の軟膏は皮膚の炎症を抑えるのに使われます。
Iryōyō no nankō wa hifu no enshō o osaeru no ni tsukawaremasu.
Medicinal ointment is used to suppress skin inflammation.
Memory Tip
To help you remember 軟, visualize its components: 革 (leather) on the left and 欠 (lack/yawn) on the right. Imagine a piece of 革 (leather) that has been treated so extensively that it completely 欠き (lacks) its original stiffness, becoming wonderfully soft and pliable. Another vivid way to connect with 欠 is to think of something so incredibly soft that it makes you want to relax and let out a contented yawn. Whether you focus on "leather lacking hardness" or "softness leading to relaxation," these images will help firmly embed the meaning of 'soft' and 'flexible' in your mind!