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Kotomora

柔

tender, weakness, gentleness, softness

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • ジュウ
  • ニュウ

Kun'yomi

  • やわ.らか
  • やわ.らかい
  • やわ
  • やわ.ら

Nanori

  • とお

Meaning

柔 centers on a yielding, pliable quality: something tender, soft, or gentle. The weakness sense is a natural extension of lacking rigid strength.

Most common words using 柔

20 of 63
  • 柔らかいやわらかい
    N4

    soft; tender; supple; flexible; limber; limp

  • 柔道じゅうどう
    N5

    judo

  • 柔軟じゅうなん
    N1

    flexible; lithe; soft; pliable

  • 柔らかやわらか
    N1

    soft; tender; pliant; supple

  • 柔じゅう

    softness; gentleness; weakness

  • 柔やわ

    soft; weak; fragile; poorly built; insubstantial

  • 優柔不断ゆうじゅうふだん

    indecisive; irresolute; shilly-shally; vacillating

  • 柔んわりやんわり
    N1

    softly; mildly; gently; politely

  • 懐柔かいじゅう

    winning over; placation; gentle persuasion

  • 柔術じゅうじゅつ

    jujitsu (martial art); jiujitsu; jujutsu

  • 柔いやわい

    soft

  • 柔和にゅうわ

    gentle; mild; meek; tender

  • 柔肌やわはだ

    soft fair skin

  • 柔軟体操じゅうなんたいそう

    calisthenics

  • お手柔らかおてやわらか

    gentle; mild; lenient

  • お手柔らかにおてやわらかに

    gently; mildly; leniently

  • もの柔らかものやわらか

    mild; mild-mannered; gentle

  • グレイシー柔術グレイシーじゅうじゅつ

    Brazilian jiu-jitsu; Gracie-style jiu-jitsu

  • ブラジリアン柔術ブラジリアンじゅうじゅつ

    Brazilian jiu-jitsu; BJJ

  • 優柔ゆうじゅう

    indecisive; irresolute; weak

Explore all words using 柔 →

Study

Etymology

柔 combines 矛 (a spear or halberd) with 木 (tree/wood). The spear over wood likely suggests a flexible wooden shaft, giving the idea of pliancy and softness.

Meaning mnemonic

A spear 矛 resting on a tree 木: the wooden shaft bends without breaking, showing tenderness and softness.

Reading mnemonic

For ジュウ, imagine a jeweler gently bending a soft gold ring: jew -> ジュウ, and the ring yields tenderly.