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弱点 (ruò diǎn) — weakness, weak point, shortcoming

Definition

弱点 is 'weak point / weakness', typically a flaw in a person, plan, or system. Unlike 缺点 (a defect or drawback) or 短处 (a personal shortcoming), 弱点 often points to a specific vulnerable spot rather than a general flaw.

noun
weaknessweak pointshortcoming
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 弱点，。
    Měi gè rén dōu yǒu zì jǐ de ruò diǎn, chéng rèn tā men bìng bù róng yì.
    Everyone has their own weaknesses; admitting them is not easy.
  • 弱点。
    Zhè ge fāng àn de ruò diǎn zài yú chéng běn tài gāo.
    The weakness of this plan lies in the high cost.
  • 弱点，。
    Tā de zuǒ tuǐ shì shēn tǐ shàng de yí gè ruò diǎn, pǎo bù de shí hou róng yì shòu shāng.
    His left leg is a physical weak point; it's easy to get injured when running.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

弱ruòweak
点diǎnpoint

弱 means weak, 点 means point, together a weak point or shortcoming.

Characters in this word

Two 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.

Open 弱 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →
Appears in
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