softly
/ˈsɒftli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɔːftli/ (ame, ipa)
softly — 副詞
1. Done or said with little noise, pressure, or force — often when trying not to di
輕柔地
以溫柔、安靜、不用力的方式
Done or said with little noise, pressure, or force — often when trying not to disturb others or when acting with care and kindness.
Mert softly touched the cat's ears, not wanting to wake it.
Mert 輕柔地摸了摸貓的耳朵，不想吵醒牠。
softly + touch (physical gentleness)
'Keep your voice down,' Eve said softly, glancing at the sleeping child.
「小聲點，」Eve 輕柔地說著，瞥了一眼熟睡的孩子。
The rain fell softly on the roof, making a steady ticking sound.
雨水輕柔地打在屋頂上，發出規律的滴答聲。
Jessica spoke so softly that no one at the back of the room heard her.
Jessica 說話的聲音太輕柔了，房間後面的人都聽不見。
The nurse spoke softly to the frightened child, telling her everything would be okay.
護士輕柔地對受驚的孩子說話，告訴他一切都會沒事的。
用法筆記
Commonly pairs with verbs of speaking (said, whispered, spoke) and gentle physical actions (touched, closed, placed).
常見錯誤
2. Used for describing light, colour, shape, or texture that is pleasing and gentle
柔和地
光線、顏色或形狀溫和不刺眼地
Used for describing light, colour, shape, or texture that is pleasing and gentle rather than bright, harsh, or sharp.
The room was lit softly by candles on the wooden shelf.
房間被木架上的燭光柔和地照亮。
softly + lit (gentle light description)
Anong traced the softly rounded edges of the stone with her thumb.
Anong 用拇指摩挲著那塊石頭柔和圓潤的邊緣。
softly + rounded (shape description)
The hills rose and fell softly against the evening sky.
山丘在暮色中柔和地起伏延伸。
Old photographs fade softly over time, losing their vivid colours.
老照片隨著時間流逝會柔和地褪色，失去鮮明的色彩。
softly — 形容詞
- softlypositive
- softliercomparative
- softliestsuperlative
1. having a mild, gentle, or quiet character; not harsh or aggressive — used in lit
輕柔的
性格、語調溫和安靜的（文學用語）
having a mild, gentle, or quiet character; not harsh or aggressive — used in literary or dialectal English to describe a person's manner, voice, or approach.
His softly voice, though quiet, held the attention of everyone in the hall.
他輕柔的嗓音雖然低沉，卻讓大廳裡每個人都專注聆聽。
softly as adjective + noun (literary usage)
The old fisherman had a softly manner that reminded Nadia of warm summer afternoons.
那位老漁夫輕柔的態度讓 Nadia 想起溫暖的夏日午後。
Feng's softly reply surprised the whole room with its unexpected warmth.
Feng 輕柔的回應讓全場驚訝，因為其中帶著出乎意料的溫暖。
There was a softly sadness in the old song that made everyone pause and listen.
那首老歌裡有種輕柔的哀愁，讓每個人都不禁停下傾聽。
- harsh
opposite in character; rough or severe rather than gentle
文法句型
softly + noun
用法筆記
This adjectival use of 'softly' is rare in modern standard English. In everyday speech and writing, the standard adjective 'soft' is used instead (e.g., 'a soft voice,' 'a soft manner'). This form is chiefly found in literary texts or regional dialects.