мягкий
mjáxkij[ˈmʲæxʲkʲɪj]
The Russian word for soft is мягкий (mjáxkij).
The adjective мягкий is used to describe physical textures that yield under pressure, but it is also applied to abstract qualities, such as a мягкий voice or a мягкий character.
Meaning: easily giving way under pressure (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form мягкий changes to мягкого in the masculine genitive or accusative cases. The feminine form is мягкая, the neuter form is мягкое and the plural form is мягкие.
How do you pronounce it?
mjáxkij
Did you know?
- The term мягкий знак refers to the 'soft sign', a letter that has no sound of its own. Its only purpose is to tell the speaker to make the preceding consonant 'soft'.
- While мягкий means 'soft', the Russian word for 'soft' or 'tender' can also be нежный. Using мягкий for a person's heart might sound like it is physically squishy, whereas нежный implies emotional tenderness.
- The grammatical distinction between 'hard' and 'soft' consonants can change the meaning of a word entirely, turning one noun into another.
Examples in context
- У Тома мягкий голос.Tom has a soft voice.This sentence shows how to describe a soft voice using мягкий.Tatoeba #5425160 by marafon, translation #5418381 by CK
- Он мягкий и гладкий.It's soft and smooth.This sentence uses мягкий to describe something that is both soft and smooth.Tatoeba #11799650 by Wezel, translation #11797240 by sundown
- Шёлк мягкий на ощупь.Silk feels soft.This sentence describes the tactile sensation of silk using мягкий.Tatoeba #4620128 by odexed, translation #239261 by CM
- Эта подушка очень мягкаяThis pillow is very soft.
- Это платье очень легкое на ощупьThis dress is very soft to the touch.
- Эта кукла очень пухлая и мягкаяThis doll is very plump and soft.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Dmitry are choosing furniture for a new apartment.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДмитрий, этот стул очень мягкий.Dmitriy, etot stul ochen' myagkiy.Dmitry, this chair is very soft.
- Дмитрий DmitryОн кажется слишком мягким для меня.On kazhetsya slishkom myagkim dlya menya.It seems too soft for me.
- Анастасия AnastasiaХочешь более жёсткий вариант?Khochesh' bolee zhestkiy variant?Do you want a firmer option?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, давай поищем другой.Da, davay poiskhem drugoy.Yes, let's look for another one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry мягкий, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
