soft-hearted
/ˌsɒft ˈhɑːtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌsɔːft ˈhɑːrtɪd/ (ame, ipa)
soft-hearted — adjective
1. having a gentle, caring nature that makes you feel sympathy for others in diffic
having a gentle, caring nature that makes you feel sympathy for others in difficulty and want to help them, even when doing so may not be practical or wise.
The soft-hearted teacher gave her students extra time to finish the test.
collocation: soft-hearted + [role noun]
Mei-Lin felt too soft-hearted to turn away the stray cat on her doorstep.
pattern: too + soft-hearted + to-infinitive
Everyone knew Mr. Okafor as a soft-hearted judge who hated giving harsh sentences.
Sofia's soft-hearted nature meant she could never say no to a friend in need.
- tender-hearted
very similar; slightly more emotional or sentimental
- compassionate
more formal; implies active concern and action to relieve suffering
- kind
broader and more general; does not specifically imply being easily moved to pity
- hard-hearted
direct opposite; lacking sympathy or compassion
- cold-hearted
stronger than hard-hearted; suggests deliberate cruelty or indifference
文法句型
soft-hearted + noun
too + soft-hearted + to-infinitive
be + soft-hearted + preposition
用法筆記
Commonly used with roles that involve authority or judgment (teacher, judge, manager) to highlight a contrast between the expected sternness and actual kindness. Frequently follows 'too' to express an excess of sympathy.