Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

柔らか (やわらか) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

柔やわらか

や

わ

ら

か

Common word›JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

soft; tender; pliant

Describes physical softness, tenderness, or pliability of objects, food, or materials.

このパンはとても柔やわらかで

、

ふわふわ

し

て

いる

。

This bread is very soft and fluffy.

肉にくが柔やわらかくなるまで煮に込こんでください。

Simmer until the meat becomes tender.

2

soft; subdued; gentle; mild

Used for non-physical qualities: soft colors, gentle light, mild demeanor, or subdued voice.

彼かの女じょは柔やわらかな口く調ちょうで話はなし始はじめた。
She began to speak in a gentle tone.
この部屋へやは柔やわらかな色いろ合あいでまとめられている。
This room is decorated in soft colors.

3

informal; light; flexible

Describes a flexible, easygoing, or informal approach, often used for thinking, rules, or atmosphere.

彼かれは柔やわらかな考かんがえ方かたの持もち主ぬしだ。
He has a flexible way of thinking.
会かい議ぎは柔やわらかな雰ふん囲い気きで進すすんだ。
The meeting proceeded in a relaxed atmosphere.

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉が柔やわらかだfor a thing (food, material) to be soft or tender
このステーキはとても柔やわらかだ。
This steak is very tender.
柔やわらかな〈物もの〉a soft, gentle (color, tone, atmosphere)
彼かの女じょは柔やわらかな色いろの服ふくを着きている。
She's wearing clothes in soft colors.
頭あたまが柔やわらかだto be flexible-minded or open to new ideas
彼かれは頭あたまが柔やわらかなので新あたらしいアイデアをすぐ受うけ入いれる。
He's flexible-minded, so he quickly accepts new ideas.

Expressions

柔やわらかな光ひかりsoft light; gentle light

Kanji

柔tender, weakness, gentleness
軟soft

Related words

柔じゅう軟なんN1sense 3
柔軟 is a more formal, often abstract term for flexibility (in thinking, plans, or rules), while 柔らか covers both this and everyday physical softness.
しなやかN1sense 1
しなやか stresses graceful, springy pliability (like a branch or body), whereas 柔らか is the broader, plainer word for softness.
穏おだやかN3sense 2
穏やか describes a calm, mild manner or weather, while 柔らか in this sense focuses on softness of tone, light, or color.

Opposites

硬かたいN4sense 1
硬い means hard or stiff, the direct opposite of 柔らか describing physical texture.
厳げん格かくN1sense 3
厳格 describes strict, rigid rules or attitudes, contrasting with the flexible, easygoing sense of 柔らか.

Word family· 8

柔やわらかいN4
soft; tender; supple · gentle; mild; mellow · light; informal · flexible; adaptable; malleable
手て柔やわらか
gentle; mild; lenient
柔やわらかさ
softness; tenderness

Written forms

柔やわらかUsage61%
Most common kanji spelling for all senses; used in high-frequency contexts.
やわらかUsage37%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the nuance is not tied to a specific kanji.
軟やわらかUsage2%
Alternate kanji spelling, often used for physical softness or flexibility.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Japanese adjective やはらか (yawaraka), with the root やは- meaning 'soft' or 'gentle'. The kanji 柔 and 軟 both convey softness, with 柔 often implying gentleness and 軟 implying pliability.

柔やわらかみ

softness; gentleness

柔やわらかめ

softish; on the soft side; somewhat soft

Show 3 more

お手て柔やわらか
gentle; mild; lenient
物もの柔やわらか
mild; gentle; soft-spoken
お手て柔やわらかに
gently; mildly; leniently · go easy on me/us/them; don't be too hard on me