Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of losing physical strength, power, intensity, or effectiveness in Japanese. It is organized by the specific nuance you want to convey, from general physical weakening to decline in influence or intensity.
Lately, I feel like I've lost strength.
As you get older, you lose strength.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to weaken, to become weak'. Can refer to physical strength, health, or even mental state.
My body has weakened due to illness.
Literally 'strength leaves the body'. Used when you suddenly lose strength, often from shock, relief, or exhaustion.
When I heard the news, all the strength drained from my body.
More formal/literary word for 'to decline, to weaken'. Often used for physical strength, mental faculties, or power over time.
Muscle strength declines with age.
To describe something non-physical like wind, sound, or light becoming weaker.
To say that something abstract like an argument, influence, or effect is becoming weaker or less effective.
Also used for abstract things like influence, power, or momentum.
His influence is losing strength.
Means 'to fade, to become dim'. Used for feelings, memories, consciousness, or effects.
Formal word meaning 'to decline, to drop'. Often used for ability, performance, or quality.
My concentration weakened.
To describe something physical like a grip, structure, or material becoming weaker or looser.
弱る (yowaru) is for living things becoming weak physically or mentally. 弱まる (yowamaru) is for forces, intensity, or abstract power weakening. 衰える (otoroeru) is more formal and implies a gradual decline over time, often used for aging or fading power.
My grandfather has become noticeably weaker recently.
Let's wait for the wind to die down.
My memory has been declining.
Direct translations like 強さを失う (tsuyosa o ushinau) are not natural in most contexts. Use the specific phrases above depending on what kind of strength is being lost.
The rain has let up.
The typhoon's strength has weakened.
薬の効果が薄れてきた。
The medicine's effect is wearing off.
My grip is losing strength.