On different occasions, the word “软(ruǎn)” has different meanings. In general, the original meaning of “软(ruǎn)” is soft or flexible, and is the opposite of “硬(yìng) hard.”
Example
Zhè kuài bù hěn ruǎn.
这 块 布 很 软。
The cloth is so soft.
But when “软(ruǎn)” is used with words like “心(xīn), heart,” “手(shǒu), hand” and “嘴(zuǐ), mouth,” we have “心软(xīnruǎn),” “手软(shǒuruǎn)” and “嘴软(zuǐruǎn).” In these words, “软(ruǎn)” means “to be easily moved or influenced.”
“心软(xīnruǎn)” means “to be tenderhearted or softhearted.”
Examples
Wǒ de māma shì yígè xīnruǎn de rén.
我 的 妈妈 是 一个 心软 的 人。
My mother is a kind-hearted person.
Jì zhù! Bùguǎn tā zěnme qiú nǐ, nǐ yě bù néng xīnruǎn!
记 住！不管 他 怎么 求 你，你 也 不 能 心软！
Remember! Don’t go soft on him no matter how hard he begs you!
“手软(shǒuruǎn)” means “to be lenient.” It refers to one who is not heartless when punishing someone or is irresolute when firmness is needed.
Examples
Búyào duì nàgè xiǎotōu shǒuruǎn!
不 要 对 那个 小 偷 手软！
Don’t show mercy to the thief!
Wǒmen duì dírén bùnéng shǒuruǎn.
我 们 对 敌人 不能 手软。
We must not be soft on our enemies.
“嘴软(zuǐruǎn)” means “to be weak-kneed.” If you are “嘴软(zuǐruǎn)” you will find that whether willing or not, you have a hard time criticizing or refusing someone. As a saying in China goes:
Ná rénjiā de shǒuduǎn, chī rénjiā de zuǐruǎn.
拿 人家 的 手短， 吃 人家 的 嘴软。
Literally, it means that “When taking bribes from others one will have a soft hand; When eating dinner given by others, one will have a soft mouth.” In other words it means that gifts blind the eyes.
Example
Jim zuótiān qǐng wǒ chīfàn le, jīntiān dàjiā pīping tā de shíhou wǒ zuǐruǎn le.
Jim 昨天 请 我 吃饭 了，今天 大家 批评 他 的 时候 我 嘴软 了。
Jim invited me to a meal yesterday so I didn’t say anything against him when others criticized him today.
Exercises
1. If someone is “心软(xīnruǎn)” it means that he or she is___.
A. gentle
B. easy to be touched and show sympathy to others
C. easy to get along with
2. If you are invited to a meal you may feel ___ to disclose the mistakes of the host.
A. 心软(xīnruǎn)
B. 嘴软(zuǐruǎn)
C. 手软(shǒuruǎn)
HSK Test
General Chinese (Beginner Level)
General Chinese (Intermediate Level)