柔 — “Tender / Weakness / Gentleness / Softness” in Japanese

Master (高手)じゅう, にゅう, やわ

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“Tender / Weakness / Gentleness / Softness” in Japanese is 柔, read juu, nyuu, yawa (じゅう, にゅう, やわ). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 柔道 (judo).

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What does 柔 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	柔
Meaning	Tender / Weakness / Gentleness / Softness
Readings	じゅう, にゅう, やわ
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	柔道 (judo)

How to read 柔

柔 is read juu (じゅう) or nyuu (にゅう) or yawa (やわ) depending on the word.

Words with 柔

柔道
柔軟

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Kanji read the same way as 柔

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28