Skip to content
Kotomora

弱

weak, frail

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • ジャク

Kun'yomi

  • よわ.い
  • よわ.る
  • よわ.まる
  • よわ.める

Meaning

弱 centers on lack of strength or resilience: being physically weak, frail, or easily overcome.

Most common words using 弱

24 of 173
  • 弱いよわい
    N5

    weak; frail; delicate; tender; unskilled; weak (wine)

  • 弱じゃく
    N1

    a little less than; a little under; slightly fewer than

  • 弱点じゃくてん
    N3

    weak point; weakness; shortcoming; defect; flaw; sore spot; tender spot

  • 脆弱ぜいじゃく

    weak; frail; fragile

  • 弱るよわる
    N1

    to weaken; to grow weak; to wane; to decline (of one's health)

  • 弱体じゃくたい

    weak constitution; weak body

  • 弱者じゃくしゃ

    weak person; the weak; vulnerable person; disadvantaged person

  • 弱みよわみ
    N2

    (a) weakness; shortcoming; failing; sore point

  • 弱虫よわむし
    N1

    coward; weakling; scaredy cat; wimp; sissy

  • 弱まるよわまる
    N2

    to abate; to weaken; to be emaciated; to be dejected; to be perplexed

  • 衰弱すいじゃく

    weakness; debility; breakdown; prostration

  • 貧弱ひんじゃく
    N1

    poor; meagre; meager; feeble; scanty; shabby; insubstantial

  • 弱気よわき
    N2

    timid; weak-kneed; fainthearted

  • 軟弱なんじゃく

    weakness

  • 病弱びょうじゃく
    N1

    weak (constitution); sickly; feeble; in poor health

  • 強弱きょうじゃく

    strength and weakness; (degree of) strength

  • 弱音よわね
    N1

    feeble complaint; whine

  • 弱めるよわめる
    N2

    to weaken

  • か弱いかよわい
    N1

    weak; feeble; delicate; frail; helpless

  • 虚弱きょじゃく

    feebleness; weakness; imbecility

  • 弱腰よわごし

    weak attitude

  • 薄弱はくじゃく
    N1

    feebleness; weakness

  • 弱冠じゃっかん

    twenty years of age

  • 精神薄弱せいしんはくじゃく

    feeble-mindedness; intellectual disability

Explore all words using 弱 →

Study

Etymology

弱 is composed of two 弓 (bows) with decorative or weakening strokes (冫), suggesting bows that are limp or lacking tension, hence weakness.

Meaning mnemonic

Two bows 弓弓 with extra strokes between them look like they've lost their snap. Imagine two limp bows that can't shoot arrows—they're weak and frail.

Reading mnemonic

For ジャク, picture a weak jack-in-the-box that can barely pop up: jack -> ジャク, and its spring is too frail to work.