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示弱 (shì ruò) — to show weakness, to appear weak (often in competition or confrontation)

Definition

A fixed verb phrase meaning to display weakness — often deliberately, to deceive opponents or avoid confrontation. Unlike 示好, the focus is on feigning incapacity rather than signaling friendliness.

verb
to show weaknessto appear weak (often in competition or confrontation)

Examples

  • 示弱。
    Bǐ sài zhōng jué duì bù néng xiàng duì shǒu shì ruò.
    During the competition, you absolutely cannot show weakness to your opponent.
  • 。
    Tā cóng lái méi zài lǐng dǎo miàn qián shì guò yí cì ruò.
    He has never once shown weakness in front of his leaders.
  • ，。
    Duì fāng gù yì shì ruò, yǐn yòu wǒ men mào rán jìn gōng.
    The other side deliberately pretended to be weak, luring us to attack rashly.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

示shìshow
弱ruòweakness

示 means to show, and 弱 means weakness; the action is showing one's own weakness.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

示 began as a drawing of an altar. Extra strokes were added to keep it distinct from unrelated old forms.

Open 示 →

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 →
Appears in
Conflict & AgreementPersonality & Traits

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