Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Soft: Having a surface or consistency that yields easily to pressure; not hard or rigid.
   • Tender: Easy to cut or chew; not tough (often used for food).
   • Flexible / Supple: Able to bend or move easily without breaking; not stiff.
   • Mild / Gentle: Not harsh, severe, or strict in manner, tone, or effect.

2. Adjective (figurative):

   • Lenient / Accommodating: Willing to compromise or make concessions in attitude or negotiation.
   • Low (price): (Colloquial) Describing a price that is cheap or easy to accept.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Chiếc gối này rất mềm. (This pillow is very soft.)
  • Thịt bò hầm mềm. (The stewed beef is tender.)
  • Tấm da mềm và dẻo dai. (The leather is supple and durable.)
  • Cô ấy có giọng nói mềm mại. (She has a gentle voice.)

• Adjective (figurative):

  • Anh ấy đã có thái độ mềm hơn trong cuộc đàm phán. (He took a more lenient attitude in the negotiation.)
  • Cửa hàng đó bán giá mềm. (That shop sells at a low price.)

Advanced Usage

• "nước mềm": soft water (water containing low levels of dissolved minerals).

  • Giặt bằng nước mềm thì xà phòng dễ tạo bọt hơn. (Washing with soft water makes soap lather more easily.)

• "mềm lòng": to be soft-hearted, to relent.

  • Tôi mềm lòng khi thấy nó khóc. (I relented when I saw him crying.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mềm mại (adj): soft, smooth, graceful (often for texture, movement, or sound).

  • Vải lụa cảm giác mềm mại. (Silk fabric feels soft and smooth.)

• Mềm yếu (adj): soft, weak, lacking firmness or strength.

  • Một chính sách mềm yếu. (A weak policy.)

• Làm mềm (v): to soften.

  • Hãy làm mềm bơ trước khi nướng. (Soften the butter before baking.)

Synonyms

• Soft: pliable, yielding.
• Tender: not tough.
• Flexible: pliant, supple.
• Lenient: accommodating, easygoing.

Related Idioms

• Lạt mềm buộc chặt: Literally "A soft string binds tightly." Meaning gentle persuasion or a soft approach can be more effective than force.

  • Đôi khi lạt mềm buộc chặt lại hiệu quả hơn. (Sometimes a soft approach is more effective.)

• Cứng đầu cứng cổ / Mềm nắn rắn buông: This contrast describes being stubborn ("hard head, stiff neck") versus being adaptable ("soft when pressed, lets go when firm"). It highlights the quality of being reasonable and flexible.

  • Trong công việc, nên mềm nắn rắn buông. (In work, one should be adaptable.)

adj

1. soft; flaccid; tender ; flexible
   • da mềm
     soft leather