1.
winning over; placating; appeasement; coaxing into compliance
The act of bringing someone around to your side or neutralizing opposition through persuasion, flattery, or concessions rather than force. Often implies a calculated or strategic approach.
反対派を懐柔する。
Win over the opposition.
金で懐柔しようとしても無駄だ。
It's useless to try to win them over with money.
社長は巧みな話術で株主を懐柔して賛成を得た。
The president won over the shareholders with skillful rhetoric and secured their approval.
USAGE:
懐柔 implies a strategic or sometimes manipulative approach to gaining someone's support. The word has a slightly negative nuance, suggesting that the persuasion involves flattery, concessions, or inducements rather than genuine reasoning.
ETYMOLOGY:
The characters mean "bosom" (懐) and "soft/gentle" (柔), suggesting the idea of softening someone up and bringing them close.
GRAMMAR:
Used as a suru-verb: 懐柔する (to win over, to placate).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 懐柔する (to win over)
- 懐柔策 (appeasement strategy)
- 懐柔工作 (behind-the-scenes persuasion campaign)