减弱

• Pinyin: jiǎn ruò
• Hanzi breakdown: 减 = 氵 (water) + 咸 — to reduce; 弱 = two 弓 (bows) + two 彡 decorative strokes — depicting weakness

Meaning

To weaken; to diminish; to attenuate. A gradual decrease in strength, intensity, or influence.

Used for both physical phenomena (sound, light, signal strength) and abstract concepts (influence, effect, power). Implies a gradual rather than sudden decrease. Often used in scientific, medical, and analytical contexts.

Examples

1. 台风登陆后强度逐渐减弱，预计明天转为热带低压。 After the typhoon made landfall, its intensity gradually weakened and is expected to become a tropical depression tomorrow.
2. 长期熬夜会减弱免疫系统的功能，增加患病风险。 Long-term sleep deprivation weakens the immune system's function and increases the risk of illness.
3. 他在公司的影响力随着新管理层上任而明显减弱。 His influence in the company noticeably diminished as the new management team took over.

Usage Guide

Context: science, weather, analysis

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 信号穿过墙壁后明显减弱了。(The signal weakened noticeably after passing through the wall.)
• 药效会随时间减弱，需要按时补服。(The medication's effectiveness weakens over time, so you need to take additional doses on schedule.)

Don't Say

• 用'减弱'来描述突然消失 (Don't use 减弱 for something that disappears suddenly — use 消失 or 停止; 减弱 implies gradual attenuation)

Origin & History

Composed of 减 (to reduce) + 弱 (weak). Together they describe the process of becoming weaker or less intense.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal