Refers to wood from coniferous trees, typically softer and easier to work than hardwood. Antonym: 硬木 (こうぼく, hardwood).
Antonyms: 硬木
This furniture is made of softwood, so it scratches easily.
hardwood
Compound of 軟 (なん, soft) and 木 (ぼく, wood). The reading なんぼく follows standard on'yomi.