柔らかい
yawarakai[ja̠β̞a̠ɾa̠ka̠i]
The Japanese word for "soft" is 柔らかい (yawarakai).
柔らかい is used to describe something that easily gives way under pressure, such as physical texture or flexibility. While it describes physical properties, it is not used to describe a person's character. For example, you might describe silk or a person's body as 柔らかい. To describe a person who is "soft" in the sense of being kind or gentle, you should use 優しい instead. If you want to describe a person as being easygoing or lenient, you would use おおらかな. Additionally, for an informal way to describe soft, chewy food or fluffy textures, you can use モッチモチ.
Meaning: easily giving way under pressure (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 柔らかい refers to physical texture or flexibility, 優しい is used to describe a person's soft or kind personality. When specifically referring to the texture of food or certain substances, the kanji 軟らかい can also be used for yawarakai.
How does it change in a sentence?
柔らかい is an i-adjective, which means you can directly modify a noun by placing the adjective before it.
How do you pronounce it?
yawarakai
Did you know?
- The word 柔らかい is often used to praise a person's physical flexibility, such as their ability to do the splits. In this context, it translates more closely to 'flexible' than 'soft'.
- The onomatopoeic word モッチモチ describes a specific kind of softness that is both springy and chewy. It is frequently used to describe fresh mochi rice cakes or high-quality pasta.
- The word 柔らかい originates from the combination of the na-adjective やわらか and the adjective-forming suffix い.
Examples in context
- 体柔らかいね。Your body is soft.This sentence shows how to describe physical flexibility of the body using 柔らかい.Tatoeba #9042357 by small_snow, translation #10196108 by terrywallwork
- 柔らかい便が出ます。I have soft stools.This sentence uses 柔らかい to describe the texture of stools.Tatoeba #147998 by bunbuku, translation #266561 by shekitten
- 絹は手触りが柔らかい。Silk feels soft.This sentence describes the soft feel of silk using 柔らかい.Tatoeba #175205 by small_snow, translation #239261 by CM
- そのクッションはやわらかくてとても快適です。That cushion is soft and very comfortable.
- このパンは口当たりが柔らかくて美味しいです。This bread has a soft texture and tastes delicious.
- 彼女は性格がやわらかい人です。She has a soft and gentle personality.
- 彼は優しい声で話す。He speaks with a soft and gentle voice.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui is showing Daigo a piece of cake she baked.
- 結衣 Yuiこのケーキ、すごく柔らかいよ。Kono kēki, sugoku yawarakai yo.This cake is very soft.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。口の中で溶けるね。Hontō da. Kuchi no naka de tokeru ne.You're right. It melts in your mouth.
- 結衣 Yui柔らかい生地にするのが難しいの。Yawarakai kiji ni suru no ga muzukashii no.It's difficult to make the dough soft.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣は料理が上手だね。Yui wa ryōri ga jōzu da ne.Yui, you are great at cooking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soft” translations and entries 柔らかい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 柔らかい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
