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軟弱 (なんじゃく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun
weak ; feeble ; soft
Describes a lack of physical or mental strength, often with a negative connotation of being flimsy, irresolute, or lacking backbone. Can apply to people, arguments, policies, or materials.
この
政せい
策さく
は
軟なん
弱じゃく
すぎる
と
批ひ
判はん
さ
れ
た
。
This policy was criticized as being too soft.
Similar words 弱よわ い 弱い is the general adjective for 'weak' and is more common in everyday speech. 軟弱 is more formal and often implies a lack of firmness or resolve, especially in abstract contexts.
脆ぜい 弱じゃく 脆弱 emphasizes fragility and vulnerability, often used for systems, security, or physical structures. 軟弱 focuses more on softness and lack of strength or determination.
Etymology Compound of 軟 (nan, 'soft') and 弱 (jaku, 'weak'). The combination conveys the idea of being soft and weak, both physically and metaphorically.
