soft
N2- Onyomi
- ナン
- Kunyomi
- やわ(らかい)
- Stroke count
- 11
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 軟 down and you get 車 (vehicle / wheel) — a cart seen from above, axle through the middle, and beside it 欠 (lack / open mouth) — a person leaning forward with their mouth open. Picture a cart on its wheels, put 軟 inside it, and let that scene stand for "soft" — soft. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 11
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は11画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 11 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
柔軟
juunan
flexible
柔軟な
juunanna
attributive: flexible (before a noun)
柔軟です
juunandesu
polite: is flexible
柔軟じゃないです
juunanjanaidesu
polite negative: is not flexible
Example sentences (3)
柔軟な働き方が広がっています。
じゅうなんな はたらきかた が ひろがって います。
juunanna hatarakikata ga hirogatte imasu.
Flexible ways of working are spreading.
計画は大事ですが、状況に応じて柔軟に変える必要もあります。
けいかく は だいじ です が、じょうきょう に おうじて じゅうなん に かえる ひつよう も あります。
keikaku wa daiji desu ga, joukyou ni oujite juunan ni kaeru hitsuyou mo arimasu.
Plans matter, but you also need to change them flexibly according to the situation.
顧客の要望に応じて、柔軟に対応する必要があります。
こきゃく の ようぼう に おうじて、じゅうなん に たいおう する ひつよう が あります。
kokyaku no youbou ni oujite, juunan ni taiou suru hitsuyou ga arimasu.
We need to respond flexibly according to our customers' requests.