adjectival noun or quasi-adjective

  1. soft, tender, plaint, supple.
  2. soft (color, light, etc.), subdued, gentle (demeanor, voice, etc.), mild.
  3. informal, light, flexible (e.g. thinking).

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
柔らか やわらか
 
 
軟らか やわらか

Contained Kanji Breakdown

tender, weakness, gentleness
ジュウ やわ.らか ニュウ (7th, N2)
halberd, arms, festival float
ム ほこ ボウ (7th, N1)
beforehand, previous, myself
ヨ あらかじ.め シャ (3rd, N3)
feathered stick, barb radical (no. 6)
ケツ かぎ (Kentei 1)
katakana no radical (no. 4)
ヘツ えい よう (Kentei 1)
tree, wood
き モク こ- (1st, N5)