jau4 ngan6柔韌柔韧
Definition
Pliable, flexible, and resilient with a certain degree of elasticity.
How it's used
柔韌 describes a material that is both soft and strong, possessing a specific kind of resilience that resists breaking under pressure. It is frequently used in culinary contexts to describe the ideal texture of noodles, fish balls, or mochi, where the food should not be mushy but rather have a satisfying chewiness. Outside of food, it is often applied to industrial materials like plastics, rubber, or leather that can bend without snapping.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 柔軟, which simply means soft and flexible without the implication of strength or resilience. Something can be 柔軟 like a pillow, but it would not be described as 柔韌 because it lacks the structural integrity and elasticity associated with the latter.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
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- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
