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薄弱 (bó ruò) — weak, frail

Definition

薄弱 is used for abstract or systemic weakness — defenses, foundations, technical ability — more often than for a person's body. 脆弱 focuses on fragility (easily broken); 虚弱 is for a person's poor health.

adjective
weakfrail

Examples

  • 薄弱。
    Tā de shēn tǐ bǐ jiào bó ruò.
    His body is relatively weak.
  • 薄弱。
    Zhè ge gōng sī de jì shù lì liàng hěn bó ruò.
    This company's technical strength is very weak.
  • 薄弱。
    Fáng shǒu bó ruò de dì fāng róng yì shī fēn.
    Weak spots in defense are easy to lose points.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

薄báothin; weak
弱ruòweak

薄 and 弱 both express weakness, so together they mean weak or frail.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艹Written in full as艸cǎo
Sound part声符shēngfú
溥
溥pǔ薄báo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

薄 combines 艹, a grass part, with 溥 as the sound part.

Open 薄 →

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
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Good & Bad

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