弱
弱·weak
- On-yomi
- ジャク
- Kun-yomi
- よわ(い)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 弱い | よわい | weak |
| 弱点 | じゃくてん | weak point |
| 弱る | よわる | to weaken, to be troubled |
| 気弱 | きよわ | timid, faint-hearted |
Example sentences
私はお酒に弱いです。
わたしはおさけによわいです。
I can't handle alcohol well.
雨で風が弱くなりました。
あめでかぜがよわくなりました。
With the rain, the wind got weaker.
だれにでも弱点はあります。
だれにでもじゃくてんはあります。
Everyone has a weak point.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Missing that ～に弱い means 'bad at / not resistant to' (寒さに弱い = sensitive to cold)
- Reading 弱点 as *よわてん instead of じゃくてん
Memory aid
Picture it
Two bows side by side, both with their strings drooping — no strength left in either.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 気弱きよわtimid, faint-hearted
- 衰弱するすいじゃくするto weaken, to grow feeble
- 弱点じゃくてんweak point, weakness, vulnerable spot
- 弱いよわいweak
- 弱々しいよわよわしいfrail, feeble
- 弱まるよわまるto weaken
- 弱めるよわめるto weaken, turn down
- 弱るよわるto weaken, be troubled
- 貧弱ひんじゃくpoor, meager
- 弱肉強食じゃくにくきょうしょくsurvival of the fittest
- 薄弱はくじゃくfeebleness; weakness; flimsiness (of grounds or will)
- 弱じゃくa little under (a stated number); weakness; the weak
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5
What does the kanji 弱 mean?