弱势

• Pinyin: ruò shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 弱 = 弜 (two weak bows) = weakness; 势 = 执 (to hold) + 力 (strength) = the strength/position one commands

Meaning

Disadvantaged position; weaker side. Describes a structurally inferior or less powerful position in social, economic, or competitive contexts.

Widely used in social policy discourse as 弱势群体 (disadvantaged groups), referring to the elderly, disabled, low-income populations, and migrants. Also used in competitive contexts (弱势一方 — the weaker party). Carries a systemic implication: the weakness is caused by structural factors, not merely personal inadequacy.

Examples

1. 社会保障体系的完善程度，直接体现了一个国家对弱势群体权益保护的重视程度。 How well a social security system is developed directly reflects how much a country values protecting the rights of disadvantaged groups.
2. 在这场诉讼中，个体劳动者明显处于弱势，难以与拥有强大法律团队的大型企业抗衡。 In this lawsuit, the individual worker is clearly in a weaker position and can hardly stand up to a large corporation with a powerful legal team.
3. 政府出台的补贴政策旨在缩小城乡差距，重点扶持长期处于弱势地位的农村地区居民。 The government’s subsidy policy aims to narrow the urban–rural gap, with a focus on supporting rural residents who have long been in a disadvantaged position.

Usage Guide

Context: social policy, law, economics, competition

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 为切实保障弱势群体的合法权益，政府应在医疗、教育和住房等领域建立更为完善的支持体系。(To genuinely protect the legal rights of disadvantaged groups, the government should establish more comprehensive support systems in areas such as healthcare, education, and housing.)
• 在劳动争议中，处于弱势的员工往往因缺乏法律知识和维权渠道而难以获得公正的赔偿。(In labour disputes, employees in a disadvantaged position often struggle to obtain fair compensation due to a lack of legal knowledge and access to rights-protection channels.)

Don't Say

• 他今天感觉很弱势 — 弱势 describes a structural social or competitive position, not a momentary personal feeling; use 虚弱 or 没力气 for physical tiredness

Origin & History

弱 (weak — two stringless bows) + 势 (position/momentum — 执 to hold + 力 strength = the force one holds) — the force or position one holds when it is weak

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal