薄はく弱じゃく

は

く

じゃ

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Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

Describes something that is weak, insufficient, or lacking in substance, such as an argument, evidence, willpower, or physical constitution. Often used in formal or critical contexts.

彼かれの主しゅ張ちょうは根こん拠きょが薄はく弱じゃくだ。
His argument is based on weak evidence.
意い志し薄はく弱じゃくな人ひとは誘ゆう惑わくに負まけやすい。
People with weak willpower easily give in to temptation.

See all 9 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉の根こん拠きょが薄はく弱じゃくだthe grounds/basis for something are weak or insufficient
彼かれの主しゅ張ちょうは根こん拠きょが薄はく弱じゃくで、説せっ得とく力りょくに欠かける。
His argument has weak grounds and lacks persuasive power.
〈事こと〉の論ろん理りが薄はく弱じゃくだthe logic of something is weak or flimsy
この論ろん文ぶんは論ろん理りが薄はく弱じゃくで、結けつ論ろんに説せっ得とく力りょくがない。
This paper's logic is weak, and the conclusion is unpersuasive.

Kanji

薄dilute, thin, weak (tea)
弱weak, frail

Related words

脆ぜい弱じゃく
脆弱 stresses fragility and vulnerability (e.g. of a system or structure), while 薄弱 stresses a lack of sufficient strength or substance (e.g. of evidence or will).
貧ひん弱じゃくN1
貧弱 describes something poor or meager in quantity/quality (e.g. a build or vocabulary), while 薄弱 is used more for abstract insufficiency like reasoning or willpower.
弱よわいN5
弱い is the everyday i-adjective for 'weak' in almost any context, while 薄弱 is a formal noun/na-adjective reserved for abstract weakness like evidence or will.
希き薄はくN1
薄弱 describes something (a basis, will, or argument) as weak and unconvincing, while 希薄 more broadly describes any quality or connection that is thin or insufficient.

Opposites

強きょう固こ
強固 describes something firm and solid (e.g. a resolve or foundation), the opposite of 薄弱's sense of being weak or insufficient.

Don't confuse with

希き薄はくN1
希薄 shares the kanji 薄 and means 'thin/sparse' (of gas, sense, or feeling), whereas 薄弱 means 'weak/insufficient' in strength or substance.

Word family

意い志し薄はく弱じゃく
weak-willed; lacking willpower
根こん拠きょ薄はく弱じゃく
unsubstantiated; flimsy; weakly grounded
精せい神しん薄はく弱じゃく
feeble-mindedness; intellectual disability

Etymology

Compound of 薄 (thin, weak) and 弱 (weak). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally conveys the meaning of weakness or feebleness.