软弱

• Pinyin: ruǎn ruò
• Hanzi breakdown: 软 = 车 (cart) + 欠 (lacking) — yielding, pliable; 弱 = 弜 (two weak bows) — lacking strength

Meaning

Weak; feeble; lacking strength or resolve. Describes physical frailty or a lack of willpower, courage, or moral backbone.

Used to describe both physical weakness (软弱无力) and character weaknesses such as indecisiveness or cowardice. Often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a failure to meet expectations. Contrasts with 坚强 (strong-willed) and 刚毅 (resolute).

Examples

1. 面对强权的威逼，他没有选择软弱妥协，而是以坚定的意志捍卫了自己的立场。 Faced with intimidation from those in power, he did not choose weak compromise; instead, he defended his position with firm resolve.
2. 长期营养不良使她身体软弱，稍微走几步路便气喘吁吁，无法正常参与日常活动。 Long-term malnutrition left her physically weak; after only a few steps she was out of breath and unable to take part in normal daily activities.
3. 领导者在关键时刻表现出软弱，往往会动摇整个团队的士气和信心。 When a leader shows weakness at a critical moment, it often undermines the entire team’s morale and confidence.

Usage Guide

Context: character, psychology, health, leadership

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 在谈判桌上，任何形式的软弱都可能被对方视为可以利用的漏洞，进而提出更苛刻的条件。(At the negotiating table, any form of weakness may be seen by the other party as a vulnerability to exploit, leading them to raise even harsher conditions.)
• 她并非软弱，只是不善于用强硬的方式表达自己，这一点常被旁人误解为缺乏主见。(She is not weak — she simply does not express herself in forceful ways, which is often misread by others as a lack of conviction.)

Don't Say

• 这块木头很软弱 — 软弱 describes people or organisations, not physical materials; use 柔软 or 松软 for objects

Origin & History

软 (soft/yielding — 车 cart + 欠 lack, giving the sense of yielding) + 弱 (weak — two bows 弜 without string, symbolising lack of power)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal