Meaning and Usage
"弱い" (よわい) primarily means "weak" or "not strong." It can describe physical weakness, lack of skill or ability, or a tendency to be easily affected by something.
Common Contexts
- Physical condition: describing someone who is physically fragile or prone to illness.
- Skills or abilities: indicating a subject's weakness in a particular area, such as a school subject or sport.
- Preferences or tendencies: expressing a person's susceptibility or fondness for something, often used with foods or habits.
Collocations and Patterns
- 体が弱い (からだがよわい): physically weak
- ～に弱い: weak at or vulnerable to something (e.g., 甘いものに弱い - weak for sweets)
- 弱点 (じゃくてん): weak point or weakness
Register and Nuance
"弱い" is a common adjective used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neutral in politeness and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. When describing people, it can be sensitive, so tone and context matter.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "弱い" with "弱る" (to weaken or be distressed). Remember that "弱い" is an adjective describing a state, while "弱る" is a verb describing an action or change in condition.