柔軟|じゅうなんjuunan[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, nounflexible; lithe; soft; pliable
   考え方かんがえかたは柔軟じゅうなんでなければならない。↗

   You must be flexible in your thinking.
2. nouncalisthenics

• SynonymフレキシブルNeutralKatakana loanword for something flexible and adjustable, as in 「フレキシブルな対応」; stresses elasticity and adaptability.
• SynonymしなやかNeutralDescribes something soft and springy yet graceful, as in 「しなやかな動き」; adds a sense of beauty that 柔軟 does not.
• Synonym柔らかやわらかNeutralEveryday word for soft to the touch, also gentle in manner; 柔軟 is more written-style and usually about flexible thinking.
• Synonym柔らかいやわらかいNeutralThe most common everyday word for soft and gentle; synonymous with 「柔らか」 and broader in daily use than 柔軟.
• Synonym弾力的だんりょくてきWrittenElastic and able to respond flexibly, as in 「弾力的な運用」; belongs to written prose.
• RelatedふにゃふにゃCasualColloquial mimetic word for limp, soft and lacking firmness; carries a negative nuance, unlike neutral 柔軟.
• Related曲げ易いまげやすいNeutralRefers to something that bends easily, stressing a physical property; less common than 柔軟 and not used for flexible thinking.
• RelatedたおやかWrittenWritten-style word for a woman's graceful, supple bearing; literary in flavor and focused on elegant posture.
• RelatedたわやかWrittenWritten-style word for soft yet resilient; has an archaic, elegant flavor and is rarely used in modern Japanese.
• Related柔軟性じゅうなんせいNeutralNames flexibility or pliability as a property, as in 「柔軟性に欠ける」; the -性 suffix turns the quality itself into the topic.
• Related弾力性だんりょくせいWrittenWritten-style noun for elasticity and adaptability; leans technical or economic, unlike the broader 柔軟.
• Related融通性ゆうずうせいWrittenWritten-style noun for the capacity to adapt and compromise, as in 「融通性がない」; stresses flexibility in dealing with people and situations.
• RelatedなよやかWrittenLiterary word for a slender, delicate figure, mostly describing women; it does not refer to flexible thinking.
• Antonym硬直こうちょくWrittenWritten-style noun for stiffness or rigidity, the direct opposite of 柔軟, as in 「態度が硬直」.
• Antonym頑固がんこNeutralStubborn and set in one's ways; contrasts with 柔軟 when talking about flexible thinking.

Use 「柔軟」 for physical suppleness or flexible thinking, as in 「柔軟な発想」 and 「柔軟体操」. For everyday softness pick 「柔らかい」, for soft yet graceful 「しなやか」, and for adjustable flexibility 「フレキシブル」. The opposites are 「硬直」 for rigidity and 「頑固」 for stubbornness.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. しなやかなこと。柔やわらかなこと。また、そのようなさま。フレキシブルな。
2. 考え方かんがえかたなどに融通ゆうずうがきき硬直こうちょくしていないこと。