弱まる

• Reading: よわまる
• Romaji: yowamaru
• Kanji breakdown: 弱 (jaku/yowa) — weak, frail
• Pronunciation: /jo.wa.ma.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To weaken; to abate; to lose strength. Describes a gradual decrease in force, intensity, or vitality.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb conjugated with the る row (弱まらない, 弱まります). The intransitive pair of 弱める (to weaken something). Used for natural diminishment: wind dying down, influence fading, resolve wavering. Common in weather reports (風が弱まる), health contexts (体力が弱まる), and social commentary (影響力が弱まる).

Examples

1. 夕方になって風が弱まってきた。 The wind started dying down toward evening.
2. 年齢とともに体力が弱まるのは自然なことだ。 It's natural for physical strength to weaken with age.
3. 景気回復への期待が弱まりつつある。 Expectations for economic recovery are gradually fading.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, health, social trends

Tone: descriptive

Origin & History

Compound of 弱 (yowa, weak) and the intransitive verb-forming suffix まる. The kanji 弱 depicts two decorative bows, interpreted as something fragile and easily bent — the opposite of rigid strength.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal