Chinese word

衰弱

Pronunciation

Pinyinshuāi ruò

Meaning

  • verbweaken

Example

随着年龄增长，他的记忆力开始衰弱。suí zhe nián líng zēng zhǎng tā de jì yì lì kāi shǐ shuāi ruò

As he gets older, his memory begins to weaken.

Illustration for 衰弱 (weaken)

More examples

长期营养不良会使老人的免疫力衰弱。cháng qī yíng yǎng bù liáng huì shǐ lǎo rén de miǎn yì lì shuāi ruò

Long-term malnutrition weakens older people's immune systems.

Core concept

Strength and physical capacity gradually drain away until the body functions with less force.

Common phrases

  • 记忆力衰弱jì yì lì shuāi ruò

    memory weakens

  • 免疫力衰弱miǎn yì lì shuāi ruò

    immune system weakens

  • 体力衰弱tǐ lì shuāi ruò

    physical strength weakens

Similar words

衰退shuāi tuì: Gradually lose former power, ability, or vigor.
减弱jiǎn ruò: Become weaker in strength, force, or influence.
减少jián shǎo: Decrease in amount, number, or frequency.
降低jiàng dī: Drop to a lower standard, level, or number.

Definition in Chinese

由于年龄、疾病或过度消耗，身体或体力逐渐减退并变得虚弱。yóu yú nián líng jí bìng huò guò dù xiāo hào shēn tǐ huò tǐ lì zhú jiàn jiǎn tuì bìng biàn de xū ruò

Word origin

The compound 衰 (shuāi, "decline") + 弱 (ruò, "weak") combines fading force with lack of strength, giving the sense of becoming physically feeble over time.

Usage tips

  • Although understandable in ordinary speech, this verb has a somewhat formal tone and is especially common in medical or news descriptions.

Other meanings

  • declineverb
  • become feebleverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word