纤弱 (xiān ruò) — slim and fragile; delicate

Definition

Literary adjective describing a slim, slender build that looks fragile or easily hurt — people, plants, or figures in writing. Stronger than 软弱 (weak in character) and more delicate than 瘦弱 (thin and weak from illness).

adjective
slim and fragiledelicate

Examples

  • 纤弱，。
    Tā de shēn tǐ hěn xiān ruò, ràng rén dān xīn.
    Her body is very frail, making people worried.
  • 纤弱。
    Zhè wèi zuò jiā bǐ xià de rén wù zǒng shì xiǎn de nà me xiān ruò.
    The characters in this writer's works always seem so delicate.
  • 纤弱。
    Nà kē xiān ruò de xiǎo shù zài fēng zhōng yáo huàng.
    That delicate little tree swayed in the wind.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

纤xiānslim
弱ruòweak

纤 means slim and 弱 means weak, both describing delicacy.

Characters in this word

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 纖; 纤 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
韱
韱xiān纖qiàn
Same sound today

The traditional form 纖 uses 糸 for silk and 韱 for the sound; the simplified 纤 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical components.

Open 纤 →

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 →

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