small and weak; puny; minor
Describes organizations, teams, or entities that are both small in scale and lacking in power or influence. Often used in contrast to 強大 (きょうだい, 'powerful and large'). The gloss 'youth' is a rare, context-dependent extension referring to young, inexperienced individuals or groups.
That small, weak team beat the powerhouse.
Small, weak companies are struggling to compete with major corporations.
弱小 emphasizes being small and weak in scale or power, while 弱体 focuses on lacking strength or effectiveness regardless of size.
弱小 describes a weak, small-scale team or entity, the direct opposite of a dominant 強豪.
弱小 describes something weak and small, the direct opposite of 強大, which describes something powerful and mighty.
Compound of 弱 (じゃく, 'weak') and 小 (しょう, 'small'). The combination straightforwardly conveys the meaning of being both small and weak.