Chinese word

体弱

Pronunciation

Pinyintǐ ruò

Meaning

  • adjectivephysically weak

Example

体弱的孩子要注意营养。tǐ ruò de hái zi yào zhù yì yíng yǎng

Children who are physically weak should pay attention to nutrition.

Illustration for 体弱 (physically weak)

More examples

他因为体弱，经常感冒。tā yīn wèi tǐ ruò jīng cháng gǎn mào

Because he is physically weak, he often catches colds.

Core concept

A body whose basic strength is low, so illness comes easily and recovery takes time.

Common phrases

  • 体弱的人tǐ ruò de rén

    people who are physically weak

  • 显得体弱xiǎn de tǐ ruò

    appear physically weak

  • 有点儿体弱yóu diǎnr tǐ ruò

    be a little physically weak

Similar words

虚弱xū ruò: Describes a body with little strength or resistance, so energy is low and sickness comes easily.
多病duō bìng: Means having frequent illnesses and generally unsteady health.
身体不好shēn tǐ bù hǎo: A conversational expression for being unhealthy and prone to illness.
体质虚弱tǐ zhì xū ruò: Describes a physically weak constitution with low resistance to disease.

Definition in Chinese

指长期或先天性体质虚弱，常表现为容易生病、恢复缓慢的身体状况。zhǐ cháng qī huò xiān tiān xìng tǐ zhì xū ruò cháng biǎo xiàn wèi róng yì shēng bìng huī fù huǎn màn de shēn tǐ zhuàng kuàng

Word origin

体 (tǐ, "body") + 弱 (ruò, "weak") combines to describe a body with persistently low physical strength.

Usage tips

  • For English speakers, "weak" often describes a temporary lack of strength, while 体弱 (tǐruò, "physically weak") usually points to an ongoing or inborn constitution.

Other meanings

  • weak constitutionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 体弱多病tǐ ruò duō bìngphysically weak and often illidiom
  • 体弱者tǐ ruò zhěphysically weak personnoun

Word lists with this word