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柔和 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
柔和róuhégentleHSK 7, a, 17 strokes, rank #12526, Very Hard
柔和róuhésoftHSK 7, a, 17 strokes, rank #12526, Very Hard
róuhé(rou2he2)rou he T2
  1. 1gentle
  2. 2soft
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March 24, 2026

柔和róuhé(rou2he2)

柔和 (róu hé) describes something that is gentle, soft, and mild. It can be used to refer to a person's demeanor, the texture of objects, or even the quality of sounds, suggesting a soothing and pleasant nature. This term is often used in contexts related to emotions, aesthetics, or natural phenomena.

Strokes17Frequency#12526DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of softness and gentleness reflects the values of harmony and balance, often associated with traditional philosophies like Daoism, which emphasizes a gentle approach to life and relationships.

Memory Tip

Imagine a soft, fluffy cloud (柔) gently floating in the sky (和). The sound of 'rou' reminds you of a soft 'row' of clouds, while 'he' sounds like 'haze' that adds to the gentle ambiance. Together, they create a serene and gentle image.

Meanings of 柔和

róuhé(rou2he2)
1gentle
2soft
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 柔和

柔和Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#12526Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 柔和

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Podcast: 柔和

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AI Study Notes for 柔和

Quick Contrast

柔软 (róuruǎn) refers specifically to physical softness, while 柔和 (róuhé) conveys a broader sense of gentleness and mildness that can apply to demeanor or sounds.

Usage Notes

When using 柔和, be careful not to confuse it with similar terms like 温和 (wēn hé), which specifically means 'mild' or 'temperate'. It is typically used in a more formal context, so ensure your tone matches the setting. Common collocations include 柔和的声音 (gentle voice) and 柔和的光线 (soft light).

HSK Study Tips

As a HSK Level 6 word, 柔和 connects with other descriptive adjectives. Focus on its use in different contexts and try to pair it with nouns that describe feelings or qualities to build a richer vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 柔和 with other adjectives, leading to sentences like '他的声音很温和' (His voice is very gentle), which is correct, but may sound odd in certain contexts. A better phrase might be '他的声音很柔和' to emphasize a softer quality.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 柔和

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Component Characters

柔róusoft
HSK 79 strokes木
View full entry
和héto complete a set in mahjong or playing cards
HSK 18 strokes口
View full entry

How to say gentle in Chinese

“gentle” in Chinese is柔和róuhé

柔和 (róu hé) describes something that is gentle, soft, and mild. It can be used to refer to a person's demeanor, the texture of objects, or even the quality of sounds, suggesting a soothing and pleasant nature. This term is often used in contexts related to emotions, aesthetics, or natural phenomena.

When to use 柔和

When using 柔和, be careful not to confuse it with similar terms like 温和 (wēn hé), which specifically means 'mild' or 'temperate'. It is typically used in a more formal context, so ensure your tone matches the setting. Common collocations include 柔和的声音 (gentle voice) and 柔和的光线 (soft light).

柔和 or something close to it

柔软 (róuruǎn) refers specifically to physical softness, while 柔和 (róuhé) conveys a broader sense of gentleness and mildness that can apply to demeanor or sounds.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 柔和 with other adjectives, leading to sentences like '他的声音很温和' (His voice is very gentle), which is correct, but may sound odd in certain contexts. A better phrase might be '他的声音很柔和' to emphasize a softer quality.

Write 柔和

柔
和

Practice writing 柔和 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 柔和

柔和 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这两个房间相对来说较小，且灯光____。

The two rooms were relatively small and discreetly lit.

Example Sentences for 柔和 (10)

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1
这两个房间相对来说较小，且灯光柔和。

zhè liǎng gè fáng jiān xiāng duì lái shuō jiào xiǎo， ， qiě dēng guāng róu。

The two rooms were relatively small and discreetly lit.
2
给人的印象是柔和俏丽而不是吸人眼球的性感。

gěi rén de yìn xiàng shì róu hé qiào lì ér bù shì xī rén yǎn qiú de xìng gǎn。

The effect is soft and pretty rather than drop-dead sexy.
3
调节灯光使其看上去既柔和又能给人带来舒缓感。

tiáo jié dēng guāng shǐ qí kàn shàng qù jì róu hé yòu néng gěi rén dài lái shū huǎn gǎn。

Adjust the lighting so it is soft and restful.
4
蓝色和灰色的柔和色调营造出明快、亮丽的视觉感观。

lán sè hé huī sè de róu hé sè tiáo yíng zào chū míng kuài、 、 liàng lì de shì jué gǎn。

Soft tones of blue and grey create a clean, bright look.
5
晚上点亮的灯笼在黑暗中发出柔和的光。

wǎn shàng diǎn liàng de dēng lóng zài hēi àn zhōng fā chū róu hé de guāng。

The night lantern glowed softly in the darkness.
6
鲜花摆上之后，突兀的混凝土墙便显得柔和起来。

xiān huā bǎi shàng zhī hòu， ， tū wù de hùn níng tǔ qiáng biàn xiǎn dé róu hé qǐ。

Stark concrete walls have been softened by a show of fresh flowers.
7
光线透过樱桃树柔和的绿阴隐约照进我的厨房。

guāng xiàn tòu guò yīng táo shù róu hé de lǜ yīn yǐn yuē zhào jìn wǒ de chú fáng。

Light filtered into my kitchen through the soft, green shade of the cherry tree.
8
阴愁的天空, 下着涓涓细雨, 柔和而多情.

yīn chóu de tiān kōng, , xià zháo juān juān xì, yǔ , róu hé ér.

Worry about the sky overcast, the trickling of rain, soft and sentimental.
9
叶子如羽毛般轻软柔和。

yè zǐ rú yǔ máo bān qīng ruǎn róu hé。

The foliage was soft and feathery.
10
丹宁柔和, 突出了持久回味及甜润的果香.

dān níng róu hé, , tū chū le chí jiǔ huí wèi jí tián rùn de guǒ.

Full flavored , velvet tannins enhance the long, sweet fruit finish.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 柔和

No, 柔和 can also describe non-human subjects such as sounds, light, and textures.

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