弱い

• Reading: よわい
• Romaji: yowai
• Kanji breakdown: 弱 (yowa/jaku) — weak, frail
• Pronunciation: /jo.wa.i/

Meaning

Weak; frail; delicate; not strong. Used for physical weakness, sensitivity, or low tolerance.

An i-adjective describing a lack of strength, resilience, or tolerance. Commonly used with に to express weakness towards something: お酒に弱い (cannot handle alcohol), 暑さに弱い (sensitive to heat). The antonym is 強い (strong). Conjugates regularly: 弱くない, 弱かった, 弱くなかった.

Examples

1. 私はお酒に弱いです。 I can't handle alcohol very well.
2. 風が弱くなりました。 The wind has died down.
3. 弟は暑さに弱いです。 My younger brother is sensitive to the heat.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, health, descriptions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 弱 depicts two decorative bows, suggesting something pliable and lacking rigidity.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal