Having a tender heart that makes one feel compassion and unable to refuse requests.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Easily moved by others' suffering or requests.
- Characterized by kindness and compassion.
- May lead to being unable to refuse help.
Overview
心软（xīn ruǎn）是一个形容词，用来描述一个人心地善良、容易动情、不忍心看到别人受苦或遭受不公。它表达了一种对他人的同情心和怜悯之情，常常伴随着不忍心拒绝他人请求的倾向。心软的人往往富有同情心，容易被他人的不幸所打动，并愿意伸出援手。
心软通常用来形容人的性格特点。它可以直接用在名词（人）前面，如“心软的人”。也可以用在句子中，描述一个人的行为或感受，例如：“他心软，总是帮朋友的忙。”或者“看到那个可怜的小狗，我心软了。”它也可以用来解释为什么一个人会做出某种（通常是宽容或仁慈的）决定，比如：“因为心软，老板没有解雇那个犯错的员工。”
这个词在日常生活中非常常见，尤其是在描述人际关系和家庭互动时。例如，父母对孩子的心软，朋友之间的互相体谅，或者一个人对流浪动物、弱势群体的同情。在处理人情事务、情感纠葛或需要做出艰难决定时，心软的特质会显得尤为突出。例如，在讨价还价时，心软的人可能很快就答应了对方的条件；在处理矛盾时，心软的人可能更容易原谅对方。
与“心软”相似的词语包括“善良”、“仁慈”、“同情”等。然而，“心软”更侧重于一种不忍心、不忍拒绝的特质，它可能带有一定程度的犹豫或不坚定。例如，“善良”是一个更广泛的概念，指内在的美好品质。“仁慈”则强调宽恕和怜悯，尤其是在有权势的情况下。“同情”是理解并分担他人痛苦的情感。而“心软”则更具体地指向了因同情而产生的不忍心行为或态度，有时甚至可能导致自己吃亏。例如，一个心软的人可能会因为不忍心拒绝朋友的借钱请求而导致自己经济困难，尽管他知道这样做可能不妥。
Examples
他心软，不忍心看到小动物受苦，所以经常收养流浪猫狗。
everydayHe is soft-hearted and cannot bear to see small animals suffer, so he often adopts stray cats and dogs.
尽管经理知道规定不能破例，但面对员工的恳求，他还是心软了。
workplaceAlthough the manager knew the rules couldn't be bent, he softened his heart when faced with the employee's plea.
别老是心软，对这种人就得强硬一点！
informalDon't always be so soft-hearted; you need to be tougher with people like that!
在人道主义援助的决策过程中，情感因素（如心软）与理性评估常常发生冲突。
academicIn the decision-making process for humanitarian aid, emotional factors (like soft-heartedness) often conflict with rational assessments.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
心软
soft-hearted
心太软
too soft-hearted
别心软
don't be soft-hearted
Often Confused With
'善良' (kindness) is a broader term for having a good moral character and benevolent nature. '心软' (soft-hearted) specifically refers to the tendency to be moved by others' plight and find it hard to refuse or be harsh.
'懦弱' (cowardly) implies a lack of courage or strength, often leading to fear and avoidance. '心软' is about compassion and empathy, not necessarily a lack of bravery, though it can sometimes lead to indecisiveness.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '心软' is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe a person's empathetic nature. It is generally understood positively, but overuse or application in inappropriate situations can lead to negative consequences, such as being taken advantage of. It's important to balance compassion with practicality.
Common Mistakes
Learners might sometimes confuse '心软' with being weak or indecisive in general. However, '心软' is specifically about emotional responses to others' suffering or requests. It's not necessarily about a lack of resolve in other areas of life.
Tips
Understand the Nuance of Soft-heartedness
Recognize that '心软' describes a tendency towards compassion and empathy. It's about feeling for others, not necessarily about being weak.
Beware of Being Taken Advantage Of
While kindness is valued, being too '心软' can lead to others exploiting your generosity. Learn to set boundaries.
Cultural Value of Compassion
In Chinese culture, showing compassion ('心软') is often seen as a virtue, reflecting empathy and humanity in social interactions.
Word Origin
The term '心软' is a direct combination of '心' (heart, mind) and '软' (soft). It literally translates to 'soft heart' or 'soft mind', conveying the idea of a tender or compassionate disposition.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, compassion and empathy are highly valued virtues. Being '心软' is often seen as a sign of a good person, reflecting a deep sense of humanity and connection with others. However, there's also a recognition that excessive '心软' can be detrimental, leading to the saying '心太软' (too soft-hearted).
Memory Tip
Imagine a heart ('心') that is physically soft ('软') like a pillow. It's easily squished and feels things deeply, making it hard to be firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions心软通常被视为一个中性或略带褒义的词。它描述了一种善良和富于同情心的特质。但在某些情况下，如果心软导致了不必要的损失或纵容了错误的行为，也可能被看作是缺乏原则。
心软是形容一种内在的品质，即容易动情和产生同情。而“滥好人”则是一种行为上的评价，指那些不懂拒绝、一味讨好他人、甚至牺牲自己利益去帮助别人的人。心软是“滥好人”可能产生的行为原因之一，但心软不一定就是滥好人。
心软的人可能因为不忍心拒绝他人的请求，而承担过多的责任或义务，导致自己身心俱疲。他们也可能容易被他人利用，在人际交往中吃亏。此外，在需要果断处理问题时，心软可能会让他们犹豫不决。
“心太软”通常带有一定的批评意味，暗示某人的心软程度已经超出了合适的范围，可能导致了负面后果。它提醒人们在保持善良的同时，也要有自己的底线和原则。
Test Yourself
看到街边卖艺的残疾人，他不禁_____，给了他一些钱。
根据语境，看到残疾人卖艺而产生同情并给予钱财，体现了“心软”的特质。
下列哪种情况最能体现“心软”？
“心软”的核心含义是不忍心拒绝他人的请求，尤其是在对方处于困境时。
他，因为，总是，朋友，帮助，心软，给。
这个句子结构清晰，逻辑连贯，表达了“因为心软”这个原因导致了“总是给朋友帮助”这个结果。
Score: /3
Summary
Having a tender heart that makes one feel compassion and unable to refuse requests.
- Easily moved by others' suffering or requests.
- Characterized by kindness and compassion.
- May lead to being unable to refuse help.
Understand the Nuance of Soft-heartedness
Recognize that '心软' describes a tendency towards compassion and empathy. It's about feeling for others, not necessarily about being weak.
Beware of Being Taken Advantage Of
While kindness is valued, being too '心软' can lead to others exploiting your generosity. Learn to set boundaries.
Cultural Value of Compassion
In Chinese culture, showing compassion ('心软') is often seen as a virtue, reflecting empathy and humanity in social interactions.
Examples
4 of 4他心软，不忍心看到小动物受苦，所以经常收养流浪猫狗。
He is soft-hearted and cannot bear to see small animals suffer, so he often adopts stray cats and dogs.
尽管经理知道规定不能破例，但面对员工的恳求，他还是心软了。
Although the manager knew the rules couldn't be bent, he softened his heart when faced with the employee's plea.
别老是心软，对这种人就得强硬一点！
Don't always be so soft-hearted; you need to be tougher with people like that!
在人道主义援助的决策过程中，情感因素（如心软）与理性评估常常发生冲突。
In the decision-making process for humanitarian aid, emotional factors (like soft-heartedness) often conflict with rational assessments.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
