What does 软 mean in Chinese?

软 (ruǎn) means "soft; flexible" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 软?

软 is pronounced "ruǎn" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 软?

软 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on the old exam, HSK 5 on the new one.

What words contain the character 软?

Common words with 软 include 嘴软 (soft-spoken), 微软 (Microsoft corporation), 心软 (to be softhearted), 手软 (to be lenient), 到手软 ((do a manual task) until one's hands go limp with exhaustion).

How do you write 软?

You can practice writing 软 using our stroke order tool.

软 (ruǎn), soft

软

ruǎn

soft; flexible

HSK 5 Was HSK 4

Traditional: 軟

Character Breakdown

Radical: 車 (no. 159)Traditional: 軟

View stroke order →

Definitions

soft
flexible

Example Sentences

这张床太软了，不舒服。

Zhè zhāng chuáng tài ruǎn le, bù shūfu

This bed is too soft and uncomfortable

Words Containing 软

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
嘴软	zuǐ ruǎn	soft-spoken
微软	Wēi ruǎn	Microsoft corporation
心软	xīn ruǎn	to be softhearted
手软	shǒu ruǎn	to be lenient
到手软	dào shǒu ruǎn	(do a manual task) until one's hands go limp with exhaustion

Related Words

柔(róu)· soft

→

松软(sōng ruǎn)· flexible

→

䯝(suǐ)· variant of 髓

→

七喜(Qī xǐ)· 7 Up (soft drink)

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 5 list

软: HSK 4 on the old exam, HSK 5 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 软 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.