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弱み (よわみ, yowami) Japanese meaning: weakness | Kotomora
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よわ
み
を
隠かく
そう
と
する
。
He tries to hide his weaknesses.
They gained an advantage in negotiations by having something on the other party.
Usage patterns 〈 人ひと 〉 の 弱よわ みを 突つ く to exploit someone's weak point
He exploited his opponent's weak point to gain an advantage in the negotiation.
〈 人ひと 〉 に 弱よわ みを 見み せる to show one's weakness (to someone)
He doesn't want to show his weakness in front of others.
弱よわ みを 隠かく す to hide one's weakness
She's good at hiding her weaknesses.
〈 人ひと 〉 に 弱よわ みがある to have a weakness
Expressions 弱よわ みを 握にぎ る have something on someone; have someone by the short hairs 惚ほ れた 弱よわ み being a slave of love; weakness from being in love 弱よわ みに 付つ け 込こ む take advantage of someone's weakness; exploit a vulnerability Related words 弱点 is a more formal, analytical term for a weak point, while 弱み carries a personal, often emotional or exploitable nuance.
短所 is a neutral term for a shortcoming (often paired with 長所), whereas 弱み specifically suggests a vulnerability someone could exploit.
弱み emphasizes a personal vulnerability that others could exploit, similar to the figurative use of アキレス腱 but without the vivid imagery.
Don't confuse with 欠点 refers to a general flaw or defect (in a person, thing, or plan), while 弱み is specifically a personal weak point that can be used against someone.
Written forms 弱よわ み Usage 82%
Standard kanji spelling; high priority.
弱よわ 味み Usage 18%
ateji (phonetic kanji usage)
Ateji spelling; rarely used.
Etymology Formed from the adjective stem 弱- and the native nominalizing suffix み, denoting the quality or respect in which something is weak. 弱味 is an alternative semantic spelling.
