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孱弱 (càn) — frail, delicate in health; weak and incompetent; insubstantial, thin (in arguments, materials, etc.)

Definition

A literary, written-style word for 'frail / weak' — used for both fragile bodies and flimsy arguments or evidence. Stronger and more formal than the everyday 弱.

adjective
fraildelicate in healthweak and incompetentinsubstantialthin (in arguments, materials, etc.)

Examples

  • 孱弱。
    càn De shēn tǐ ràng tā wú fǎ cān jiā jù liè yùn dòng.
    His frail body prevented him from participating in strenuous exercise.
  • 孱弱，。
    Tā de lǐng dǎo néng lì fēi cháng càn, wú fǎ dài lǐng tuán duì.
    His leadership ability is very weak, and he cannot lead the team.
  • 孱弱，。
    Tā de lǐ yóu càn, bù néng shuō fú wǒ.
    His reasons are insubstantial and cannot convince me.
Appears in
Illness & Symptoms

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