supple

Compared meaning: easy to bend, not stiff (adjective).

比较义项：容易弯曲、柔软（形容词）。

• flexible

  The general, neutral word for anything that bends without breaking; used for materials, objects, or the body, and often extends metaphorically to plans or schedules (not compared here).

  指任何能弯曲而不折断的事物的通用中性词，可用于材料、物体或身体，也常引申指计划或时间安排（但该引申义不在此比较之列）。

  This flexible hose can bend around tight corners without kinking or breaking.

  这根柔韧的软管可以弯过狭窄的转角而不会打结或损坏。

• supple 本词

  Describes something soft and pliant that bends or moves gracefully, especially skin, leather, or a body after exercise; more literary in tone and never used for plans or schedules.

  形容柔软而易弯曲、能顺畅活动的事物，尤指皮肤、皮革或经过锻炼的身体；语气更文学化，绝不用于计划或时间安排。

  Daily stretching keeps a dancer's muscles supple and easy to move.

  每天拉伸能让舞者的肌肉保持柔软，活动自如。

Flexible and supple both mean easy to bend. Flexible is the general word for anything that bends, used for materials, objects, or the body. Supple describes something soft that bends gracefully, especially skin or leather. Not compared: flexible meaning adjustable, as in flexible hours.

这两个词在“容易弯曲”这一义项上意思相近，但风格和用法有所不同：flexible是中性通用词，可用于材料、物体或身体，也常引申指计划或时间安排；supple更偏文学化，多形容皮肤、皮革或身体等柔软而易弯曲之物，语气更细腻。这里不比较flexible表示“灵活可调整”的常见引申义（如flexible hours表示时间安排灵活）。