Word · Frequency #19512
softening
软化；变软
the process of becoming soft or making something soft
- 1.
The process of making something soft.
使某物变软的过程。
- 2.
The process of becoming soft.
变软的过程。
使某物变软的过程。；变软的过程。
In use
The softening of the butter in the microwave took only a few seconds.
A gradual softening of the clay makes it easier to shape into a pot.
She noticed the softening of the chocolate in the warm car.
the softening of sth
使用名词所有格或of结构表示被软化的事物。
The softening of the metal is achieved by heating.
金属的软化是通过加热实现的。
undergo softening
The material undergoes softening at high temperatures.
这种材料在高温下经历软化。
lead to softening
常用动词有cause, result in等。
Prolonged exposure to water leads to softening of the wood.
长时间接触水导致木材软化。
Common mistakes
The soften of the material is important.The softening of the material is important.
softening 是名词，表示‘软化过程’，而 soften 是动词。句中作主语时应用名词形式 softening。
I need a softening pillow.I need a soft pillow.
此处 ‘软的’ 应用形容词 soft，而 softening 是动名词或现在分词，通常不直接修饰名词表示‘柔软的’特征。
Connections
Collocations
- water softening
- 硬水软化
- Water softening removes minerals that cause limescale.硬水软化可去除产生水垢的矿物质。
- softening point
- 软化点
- This plastic has a relatively low softening point.这种塑料的软化点相对较低。
- softening agent
- 软化剂
- Add a softening agent to the mixture.向混合物中加入软化剂。
- softening process
- 软化过程
- The softening process takes several hours.软化过程需要几个小时。
- gradual softening
- 逐渐软化
- The gradual softening of the butter made it easy to spread.黄油的逐渐软化使它容易涂抹。
Idioms & figurative uses
Learner notes
Memory Tip
记住 soft（软）加 -ening，想象冰淇淋融化变软，即 softening（软化）。
Context & Register
语域：neutral 常见场景：日常描述物体质地变化、技术或科学说明、经济或商业报道 该词为中性语体，在口语和书面语中都比较常见，通常指‘变软’或‘使变软’的过程。使用时无需特别正式或随意，视具体语境灵活运用即可。
Pronunciation & Spelling
这些词都与 softening 一样以 -ening 结尾，拼写相似，但重读元音不同，所以都不是完整韵词；softening（/ˈsɔfniŋ/）的重读元音是 /ɔ/。注意：softening、listening、fastening 的 t 不发音；threatening、straightening 中的 t 通常发音或弱化，不可照拼写读。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from AI_FALLBACK, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.