This is a single kanji with an い on the end, which tells you it's probably an adjective. The kanji means gentle, and the adjective version means soft — as in a gentle, tender kind of softness. Think soft towel, soft hand, soft voice… anything soft in a way that gives you the warm fuzzies.

In reference to the human body, 柔らかい can also mean flexible, with an emphasis on supple, effortless movement.

You find something that is so soft to the touch. You touch it. You can't stop. The monkey you're touching tells you to stop. It doesn't like to be touched. But, you won't stop. "Yah what (やわ) you gonna do about it, monkey?" "Yah, what can I do, I guess," replies the monkey.