Meaning of 软件
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- software
How to use 软件
软件 is the everyday word for software, programs, and apps in general. It often appears with verbs like 下载 (xiàzài, download), 安装 (ānzhuāng, install), and 更新 (gēngxīn, update). Example: 这个软件很好用。(Zhège ruǎnjiàn hěn hǎoyòng.) This software is really easy to use.
软 (ruǎn) means soft and 件 (jiàn) means an item or piece, so 软件 is the "soft item" of a computer. It pairs neatly with 硬件 (yìngjiàn), the "hard item", which is hardware.
Common mistake: Learners often write 软 with the wrong left side or mix it up with 较 (jiào). Both have 车 on the left, but 软 has 欠 on the right while 较 has 交. Also keep the third tone on 软 (ruǎn). It is not ruán.
软件 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
软 ruǎn · soft · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
件 jiàn · item · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 软件.
| 条件 | tiáojiàn | condition; circumstance; term; factor; requirement; prerequisite; qualification |
| 事件 | shìjiàn | incident; event |
| 文件 | wénjiàn | document; file |
| 邮件 | yóujiàn | mail; post |
| 证件 | zhèngjiàn | certificate; papers; credentials; document; ID |
| 电子邮件 | diànzǐ yóujiàn | |
| 硬件 | yìngjiàn | hardware |
| 附件 | fùjiàn | appendix (in a document); enclosure (accompanying a document) |
| 案件 | ànjiàn | case; instance |
| 信件 | xìnjiàn | letter (sent by mail) |
| 软弱 | ruǎnruò | weak; feeble |
| 零件 | língjiàn | part; component |
Questions about 软件
What does 软件 mean?
软件 (ruǎnjiàn) means "software" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 软件?
软件 is made of 2 characters: 软 (8 strokes), 件 (6 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 软件 an HSK word?
Yes. 软件 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 软件 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 软件 is written 軟件.
What is the difference between 软件 and 应用?
软件 is the general word for any software. 应用 (yìngyòng), or 应用程序, usually means an app, especially on a phone. In casual speech people often just say 软件 for phone apps too.
What measure word is used with 软件?
The most common measure word is 个 (gè), as in 一个软件. You will also see 款 (kuǎn) in more formal or commercial contexts, as in 一款新软件 (a new piece of software).