服软

服軟

fúruǎn

verb #53,586

Meanings

1 to admit defeat
2 to give in
3 to acknowledge a mistake
4 to be amenable to persuasion

Characters

to submit; obey

Examples

他从来不服软。

Tā cónglái bù fúruǎn.

He never gives in.

争吵了半天，最后还是男方服软道歉。

Zhēngchǎole bàntiān, zuìhòu háishì nánfāng fúruǎn dàoqiàn.

After a long argument, the man finally gave in and apologized.

Tips

memory

Pairs with 吃硬 in the saying 吃软不吃硬 ('eats the soft, won't eat the hard') — describing someone who responds to gentle persuasion but resists pressure. 服软 = giving in to the soft approach.

Stroke Order

服 fú

软 ruǎn