弱

• Pinyin: ruò
• Hanzi breakdown: 弱 = two 弓 (bow) shapes with 冫 (ice/small) — two small or thin bows, suggesting frailty and weakness

Meaning

Weak; feeble; inferior in strength or ability. The opposite of 强 (strong).

Describes a lack of physical strength, capability, or intensity. Used for people (身体很弱, physically weak), abstract qualities (能力弱, weak ability), and conditions (信号弱, weak signal). Also appears in common compounds like 弱点 (weak point) and 弱势 (disadvantaged). Can describe temporary states or inherent characteristics.

Examples

1. 他大病一场以后身体变得很弱。 After a serious illness, his body became very weak.
2. 这支球队实力较弱，但精神很强。 This team is relatively weak in ability, but very strong in spirit.
3. 这里的手机信号太弱了，根本上不了网。 The mobile phone signal here is too weak to get online at all.

Usage Guide

Context: health, sports, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他身体比较弱，容易生病。(His health is rather weak, and he falls ill easily.)
• 我们不应该欺负弱小的人。(We should not bully those who are weak.)

Don't Say

• 这个咖啡很弱 directly translating 'weak coffee' (Don't directly translate 'weak' for drinks — in Chinese say 这个咖啡太淡了 using 淡 light or diluted instead)

Origin & History

The character 弱 depicts two small bows (弓) with decorative strokes, suggesting something thin and delicate — hence the meaning of weak or feeble.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal