外がい柔じゅう内ない剛ごう

が

い

じゅ

う

な

い

ご

う

Meanings

1

noun

gentle but firm; soft on the outside, hard on the inside

yojijukugo (four-character idiom)›

Describes a person who appears gentle and approachable but has a strong, unwavering inner character. Often used as a compliment for someone who is kind yet resolute.

彼かれは外がい柔じゅう内ない剛ごうな人ひとで

、

普ふ

段だん

は

優やさ

しい

が

、

いざという

時とき

は

とても

頼たよ

り

に

なる

。

He is a gentle but firm person—usually kind, but very dependable when it counts.

外がい柔じゅう内ない剛ごうの精せい神しんで交こう渉しょうに臨のぞんだ。

I approached the negotiation with a spirit of being gentle but firm.

Kanji

外outside
柔tender, weakness, gentleness
内inside, within, between
剛sturdy, strength

Related words

内ない柔じゅう外がい剛ごう
The opposite: outwardly tough but inwardly soft. 外柔内剛 is the more common and positive expression.

Etymology

A yojijukugo composed of 外 (outside), 柔 (gentle), 内 (inside), and 剛 (firm). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows a common four-character pattern contrasting outward appearance with inner character.