Soft
Tender, Flexible
い adjective
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.
柔らかいもの
a soft thing
柔らかいタオル
a soft towel
柔らかい体
a flexible body, a soft-feeling body
柔らかい手
soft hands
柔らかい光
a gentle light
このイスはクッションが柔らかい。
The cushion on this chair is soft.
日差しが柔らかくて気持ちいい。
The sunlight is soft and pleasant.
彼の柔らかい歌声に、思わず彼女の表情が柔らかくなった。
Hearing his gentle singing voice, her expression softened unconsciously.