弱い
彼は体が弱いです。
He is weak.
Lacking strength or power; physically or mentally weak.
この材料は弱いので、強いものに置き換えましょう。
This material is weak, so let's replace it with something stronger.
Can refer to physical weakness, mental weakness, or lack of resilience.
Vulnerable or susceptible to something negative.
彼は風邪に弱いです。
He is susceptible to colds.
Often used to describe susceptibility to illness or external factors.
Not strong or effective; lacking in power or influence.
このチームは弱いので、勝つのは難しいでしょう。
This team is weak, so it will be hard for them to win.
Can describe teams, arguments, or positions that lack strength.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'弱い' is often used to describe physical weakness, but it can also describe mental weakness or lack of resilience.
Gold Rule
Politeness
When describing someone's weakness, it's often more polite to use '弱い' in a more general or indirect way, such as '体が弱い' (weak body) rather than '弱い人' (weak person).
Word Origin
From Old Japanese 'yowaki', meaning 'weak' or 'frail'.
Usage Notes
Can be used to describe physical weakness, mental weakness, or lack of resilience. Often used in contrast to '強い' (strong).