弱 (ruò) — weak, feeble (physically); inferior, not as good as (in ability or quality); (used after a number) slightly less than
Definition
弱 covers both 'physically weak' and 'inferior/not as good as' in one adjective; the number sense (∼) means 'slightly less than'. 软弱 and 微弱 lean toward physical weakness, while 不如/不及/逊色 are verbs for comparison.
adjective
weakfeeble (physically)inferiornot as good as (in ability or quality)(used after a number) slightly less than
Easily confused
Examples
- ，弱。Tā qù nián shēng le yì chǎng dà bìng, xiàn zài shēn tǐ hái hěn ruò.He had a serious illness last year, and his body is still very weak now.
- 弱。Tā de shù xué chéng jì bǐ bān shàng hěn duō tóng xué ruò.His math grades are inferior to many classmates in the class.
- 弱。Zhè ge bān dà yuē yǒu sān shí rén ruò.This class has slightly fewer than thirty people.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
- 弓弓gōngbow
- 彡彡shānhair, meaning "decoration" in this case
弱 pairs 弓 (bow) with 彡 (hair), showing a decorative bow that is functionally inferior, or a shaking, worn-out bow.
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