Japanese word

弱い

Pronunciation

Romajiyowai

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveweak

Example

このひもは弱いです。ko no hi mo wa yowa i de su

This string is weak.

Illustration for 弱い (weak)

More examples

この植物は寒さに弱いです。ko no shoku butsu wa samu sa ni yowa i de su

This plant is sensitive to cold.

Core concept

Describes a person or thing whose strength, force, or ability is insufficient for the situation.

Common phrases

  • 弱い体yowa i karada

    a weak constitution

  • 力が弱いchikara ga yowa i

    have little strength

  • 弱い立場yowa i tachi ba

    a weak position

Similar words

ひ弱いhiyowai: Physically weak and not strong or healthy.
脆いmoroi: Easily broken or damaged because it lacks strength.
弱々しいyowayowashii: Having a frail appearance and little physical energy.

Definition in Japanese

力や能力が十分でなく、物事に対する働きや技量が乏しいさま。chikara ya nō ryoku ga jū bun de na ku mono goto ni tai su ru hatara ki ya gi ryō ga tobo shi i sa ma

Word origin

Modern 弱い (yowai, "weak") developed from the older adjective 弱し (yowashi, "weak"), as the adjective ending し (shi) changed to い (i).

Usage tips

  • 弱い (yowai) also means unskilled in a subject when used in phrases such as 数学に弱い (sūgaku ni yowai), meaning "weak at mathematics."

Other meanings

  • delicatei-adjective
  • unskilledi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word