The Kanji: 軟 (Nan / Yawa)
The kanji 軟 means "soft," "flexible," or "gentle." It combines 車 (vehicle) with 欠 (lacking), originally depicting a vehicle with flexible suspension. This character represents physical softness and adaptability.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 軟らかい (yawarakai) - Soft
このパンは軟らかい。
"This bread is soft."
2. 軟弱 (nanjaku) - Weak
軟弱な地盤が問題だ。
"The weak ground is problematic."
3. 軟式 (nanshiki) - Soft type
軟式テニスをする。
"Play soft tennis."
4. 軟禁 (nankin) - House arrest
政治家が軟禁される。
"The politician is placed under house arrest."
In summary, 軟 describes physical properties (軟らかい, 軟弱), sport categories (軟式), and restrictive measures (軟禁). It conveys flexibility and mildness across various contexts in Japanese.