Chinese word

软弱

Pronunciation

Pinyinruǎn ruò

Meaning

  • adjectiveweak

Example

那次他在会议上表现得很软弱。nà cì tā zài huì yì shàng biǎo xiàn de hěn ruǎn ruò

At that meeting, he acted weak.

Illustration for 软弱 (weak)

More examples

领导在危机时刻不能显露出软弱。líng dǎo zài wēi jī shí kè bù néng xiǎn lù chū ruǎn ruò

A leader must not reveal weakness in a crisis.

Core concept

A will that bends and gives way instead of holding firm when pressure comes.

Common phrases

  • 显露出软弱xiǎn lù chū ruǎn ruò

    reveal weakness

  • 软弱的一面ruǎn ruò de yí miàn

    weak side

Similar words

懦弱nuò ruò: Lacking courage and persistence, and tending to avoid difficulties.
优柔寡断yōu róu guǎ duàn: Unable to make decisions promptly because of continued uncertainty about choices.
犹豫yóu yù: Unable to act or decide because of continued hesitation.

Definition in Chinese

性格或态度缺乏坚强和果断，遇到困难或压力时容易退缩或屈服。xìng gé huò tài dù quē fá jiān qiáng hé guǒ duàn yù dào kùn nán huò yā lì shí róng yì tuì suō huò qū fú

Word origin

软 (ruǎn, "soft") + 弱 (ruò, "weak") combines softness with lack of strength to describe a person or attitude that cannot hold firm.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this adjective judges a person's character or stance, so it can sound sharper than a neutral comment about one uncertain decision.

Other meanings

  • cowardlyadjective
  • timidadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word