Translation guide
Describes a person who lacks physical strength, mental fortitude, or resolve. Japanese offers distinct terms for physical weakness, emotional fragility, and lack of willpower, with varying degrees of harshness.
To refer to someone who lacks physical strength or stamina, often in a derogatory or pitying way.
Literally 'weak bug'; a common, somewhat childish insult for a physically weak or cowardly person. Often used in teasing or scolding.
そんな重いものも持てないなんて、弱虫だな。
You can't even carry something that heavy? What a weakling.
A noun or na-adjective describing someone who is physically frail or delicate. Less insulting than 弱虫, more descriptive.
彼はひ弱で、スポーツが苦手だ。
He's a weakling and not good at sports.
A formal or medical term for a constitutionally weak body; someone prone to illness or lacking vitality.
子供の頃は虚弱体質で、よく学校を休んだ。
As a child I was a weakling and often missed school.
To criticize someone for lacking courage, being easily intimidated, or not standing up for themselves.
A straightforward term for a coward or timid person. Stronger than 弱虫 and focuses on fearfulness rather than physical weakness.
彼は臆病者だから、文句を言えない。
He's a weakling, so he can't complain.
Literally 'lacking a spine/hips'; a harsh insult for a coward or someone who chickens out. Very direct and rude.
Someone with no guts or backbone; a spineless person. Often used to scold someone for lacking determination.
To describe someone who is easily overwhelmed, gives up quickly, or lacks mental resilience.
A simple, general phrase meaning 'weak person'. Can refer to mental or emotional weakness depending on context. Less insulting than specific terms.
彼は精神的に弱い人だ。
He's a mental weakling.
Literally 'soft/weak person'; implies lack of toughness, both physically and mentally. Often used in a scolding or derogatory manner.
そんなことで泣くな、軟弱者。
Don't cry over something like that, you weakling.
A modern, colloquial phrase meaning 'mentally weak'. Often used in casual conversation about stress or pressure.
あの人はメンタルが弱いから、すぐ落ち込む。
That person is a weakling mentally, so they get depressed easily.
To describe someone who lacks willpower, gives in to temptation, or is easily swayed by others.
A formal term for weak-willed or lacking in determination. Often used in serious contexts like addiction or moral weakness.
彼は意志薄弱で、すぐに誘惑に負ける。
He's a weakling and easily gives in to temptation.
Describes someone who is easily swept along by others' opinions or circumstances. Not a direct noun, but a common way to express a weak-willed nature.
彼は流されやすいから、悪い友達に影響される。
He's a weakling, so he gets influenced by bad friends.
Direct translations like '弱い人' can sound too vague or unnatural in many contexts. Choose a more specific term based on the type of weakness (physical, mental, cowardice).
彼は弱虫だ。
He's a weakling (cowardly/physically weak).
弱虫 is often used for children or in light teasing, implying both physical weakness and cowardice. 臆病者 is more about fearfulness and can be used for adults in serious criticism.
弟は弱虫で、注射を怖がる。
My little brother is a weakling and is scared of shots.
彼は臆病者で、上司に反論できない。
He's a weakling and can't talk back to his boss.
そんなことで逃げるなんて腰抜けだ。
Running away over something like that? You're a weakling.
意気地なし！最後まで戦え。
You weakling! Fight to the end.