WEAK  弱弱

LACK STRENGTH.
FRAILFEEBLEDELICATEFRAGILEINFIRMSICKSICKLYDEBILITATEDINCAPACITATEDAILINGINDISPOSEDDECREPITTIREDFATIGUEDEXHAUSTEDANEMICINFORMAL WEEDY
Antonym
  • ABUNDANTHAVE OR BE INTENSELY MANY, TYPICALLY DESIRED, THINGS. 
    • STRONGABLE to ACHIEVE DIFFICULT TASKS of the BODY OR to the MIND.
      Hypernym
      • LACKSITUATION OF NOT HAVING, OR NOT to BEING-IN the UNIVERSE.
        • SITUATIONRELATION in which MANY HUMANS, FEATURES OR THINGS EXIST TOGETHER OR INTERACT.
          • RELATIONFEATURE of TWO OR MORE THINGS TOGETHER.
            • FEATUREABSTRACT OBJECT a THING is SAID to BE OR to HAVE....
      See also
      • TENUOUSUNIMPORTANT BECAUSE LACKING BIGNESS, REALITY, OR HIGH DEGREE.
        Hyponym
        Old Chinese Criteria
        1. The current general word for weakness of any physical or abstract kind, and of anything including states, persons, and animals is ruò 弱 (ant. qiáng 強 "strong").

        2. Léi 羸 (ant. jiàn 健 "strong and healthy") typically refers to physical weakness in humans.

        3. Bào 薄 (ant. zhuàng 壯 "strong and vigorous") can refer to a low or weak intensity of something.

        4. Cuì 脆 / 膬 (ant. jiān 堅 "strong and hard") refers to physical weakness as a result of brittleness and a propensity to break easily.

        5. Chí 弛 (ant. jiān 堅 "strong and hard") refers to weakness as a result of abstract or physical slackening.

        6. Shuāi 衰 (ant. shèng 盛 "strong and flourishing") refers to the process of weakening that attends any kind of decline.

        7. Hào 耗 (ant. kāng 康 "increasingly vigorous and healthy") refers to the process of weakening that results from using up available resources.

        8. Huǎ3n 緩 (ant. jié 捷 "nimble and vigorous in one's effort") is somewhat marginal in the group but can refer to habitual weakness of effort through slowness and lack of urgent and decisive action.

        Modern Chinese Criteria
        弱

        軟弱

        單弱

        單薄

        柔弱

        弱小

        衰微

        貧弱

        孱弱

        虛弱

        微弱

        嬌嫩

        瘦弱

        瘦損

        薄弱

        贏弱

        纖弱

        文弱

        軟

        虛

        孱

        一成一旅

        一觸即潰

        不堪一擊

        手無寸鐵

        赤手空拳

        南風不競

        弱不勝衣

        弱不禁風

        無拳無勇

        勢單力薄

        質似蒲柳

        rough draft to BEGIN TO identify synonym group members for analysis, based on CL etc. 18.11.2003. CH ／

        • A Dictionary of Selected Synonyms in the Principal Indo-European Languages ( BUCK 1988) p. 4.82

        • Lateinische Synonyme und Etymologien ( DOEDERLEIN 1840) p.

          WEAK

          imbecillitas refers to mental weakness, and a weakness of the heart.

          infirmitas refers to bodily weakness, and a moral weakness of character, fickleness and uncertainty.

        • 韓非子同義詞研究 ( HANFEI TONGYI 2004) p. 353

        • “荀子”單音節形容詞同義關係研究 ( HUANG XIAODONG 2003) p. 301

        • Lateinische Synonymik ( MENGE) p. 311

        • Historisches Woerterbuch der Philosophie ( RITTER 1971-2007) p. 12.801

          WILLENSSCHWAECHE (WEAKNESS OF THE WILL ONLY)

        Words

        弱  ruò OC: njewɡ MC: ȵi̯ɐk 83 AttributionsWD

        The current general word for weakness of any physical or abstract kind, and of anything including states, persons, and animals is ruò 弱 (ant. qiáng 強 "strong").

          Word relations
        • Ant: 壯/STRONG Zhuàng 壯 (ant. ruò 弱 "weak") refers to longish-term constitutional physical strength.
        • Ant: 強 / 強/STRONG The current general word for the temporary state of strength, physical or political, are qiáng 強 (ant. ruò 弱 "weak").
        • Ant: 彊/STRONG
        • Object: 陵/OPPRESS Líng 陵 (ant. yù 育 "take loving care of", and the rare jí 藉, and chéng 乘 emphasise the abuse of supremacy of social or political position.
        • Contrast: 凌/OPPRESS
        • Contrast: 柔/SOFT The current standard word for anything pliable and soft is róu 柔, and I have found no competing words with related meanings.
        • Assoc: 亂/CHAOS The very dominant word in this group is luàn 亂 (ant. zhì 治 "state of good government, state of good order") which refers to all kinds of reprehensible lack of order.
        • Assoc: 幼/YOUNG The current general "absolute" word for tender youth is yòu 幼 (ant. zhǎng 長 "grown up"), and this word refers to young age of animals, as well as humans.
        • Assoc: 懦/FEAR Qiè 怯 "chicken-livered and unlikely to undertake risky tasks" and nuò 懦 (ant. yǒng 勇 "courage, boldness") as well as dàn 憚 "unduly prone to feelings of fear" refer to being pusilanimousness or the lack or courage where courage is required.
        • Assoc: 柔/SOFT The current standard word for anything pliable and soft is róu 柔, and I have found no competing words with related meanings.
        • Assoc: 軟/WEAK
        • Oppos: 桀/CRUEL

          Syntactic words
        • nabfeatureweakness
        • nccsubjectthat which is weak, a weak state
        • v[adN]nonreferentialthe weak; a weak person; the weaker party
        • vadNweak, frail; young and weak
        • vadNnon-restrictiveweak
        • viactpretend to be weakCH
        • vichangebecome weak> be weakened
        • vifigurativeaesthetically weak
        • vigradedbe weak, frail; be young and weak
        • vt(oN)causativeto weaken the contextually determinate NLZ
        • vt+prep+Nshow weakness with respect to (or perhaps: be weak as compared to)
        • vt+prep+Ngradedbe weaker than
        • vtoNcausativeto weaken
        • vtoNputativeregard as weak
        脆  cuì OC: tshods MC: tshiɛi 14 AttributionsWD

        Cuì 脆/膬 (ant. jiān 堅 "strong and hard") refers to physical weakness as a result of brittleness and a propensity to break easily.

          Word relations
        • Assoc: 柔/SOFT The current standard word for anything pliable and soft is róu 柔, and I have found no competing words with related meanings.

          Syntactic words
        • nabfeaturebrittleness> weak cohesion, softnessCH
        • nabstativebrittleness, delicacy
        • v[adN]N=humanthe powerlessCH
        • vadNbrittleCH
        • vibe weak and easily broken 說文：易斷
        • viderivedbrittle> be of weak constitution, get easily broken; be vulnerableCH
        • vifigurativebe powerlessCH
        羸  léi MC: ljwe OC: rol 9 AttributionsWD

        Léi 羸 (ant. jiàn 健 "strong and healthy") typically refers to physical weakness in humans. 3. Bào 薄 (ant. zhuàng 壯 "strong and vigorous") can refer to a low or weak intensity of something.

          Word relations
        • Ant: 勁/STRONG Jìng 勁 (ant. léi 羸 "weak") and jìng 競 (ant. shuāi 衰 "reduced state, lack of energy") refers to strength mainly under the aspect of a physical or mental energy.
        • Assoc: 病/ILLNESS From Warring States onwards the most current general word for illness was bìng 病, but in earlier times the word referred even more generally to troubles and difficulties of many kinds. This archaic usage did continue into later usage. When used specifically, bìng 病 refers to a lasting long-term medical condition.

          Syntactic words
        • vadNworn-out, tattered
        • viweak and emaciated
        弛  chí OC: lʰelʔ MC: ɕiɛ 7 AttributionsWD

        Chí 弛 (ant. jiān 堅 "strong and hard") refers to weakness as a result of abstract or physical slackening.

          Syntactic words
        • vadNslackened
        • vichangeslacken, relax; weaken; relax one's efforts
        • vtoNrelent on, relax (taxes etc); be lax on (crimes)
        薄  báo/bó MC: -- OC: -- 7 AttributionsWD

        Bào 薄 (ant. zhuàng 壯 "strong and vigorous") can refer to a low or weak intensity of something.

          Word relations
        • Ant: 高/SUPERIOR
        • Ant: 厚/GENEROUS Hòu 厚 (ant. báo 薄 "less than ample") refers to generosity of treatment which is not necessarily directed towards inferiors.
        • Assoc: 文/ARTS Wén 文 (ant. wǔ 武 "martial arts) refers to higher literary fine arts including belles lettres as well as ritual. [AESTHETIC], [ELEVATED], [SPECIALISED]; [[CURRENT]]

          Syntactic words
        • vadNthin; weak; slight (not splendid 美)
        • vibe too weak and insufficient,
        • vi+prep+Nbe insufficient in respect to NDS
        • vtoNcausativeweaken something, reduce something [to ligthen (taxes)][CA]
        • vtoNrelationalbe weak with respect to
        輕  qìng OC: kheŋs MC: khiɛŋ
        輕  qīng OC: kheŋ MC: khiɛŋ 7 AttributionsWD

          Word relations
        • Ant: 重/POWER Zhòng 重 refers to the actual political influence a person may have.

          Syntactic words
        • nabstativecurrent state of weakness
        • vibe powerless, be weak
        • vichangebecome weaker, we weakened
        緩  huǎn OC: ɢʷaanʔ MC: ɦʷɑn 5 AttributionsWD

        Huǎ3n 緩 (ant. jié 捷 "nimble and vigorous in one's effort") is somewhat marginal in the group but can refer to habitual weakness of effort through slowness and lack of urgent and decisive action.

          Syntactic words
        • virelaxed; be lax
        • vtoNcausativeslacken, relax, make lighter (punishments)
        衰  shuāi OC: srul MC: ʂi 5 AttributionsWD

        Shuāi 衰 (ant. shèng 盛 "strong and flourishing") refers to the process of weakening that attends any kind of decline.

          Word relations
        • Ant: 壯/STRONG Zhuàng 壯 (ant. ruò 弱 "weak") refers to longish-term constitutional physical strength.
        • Assoc: 耗/POOR

          Syntactic words
        • nabfeatureweaknessCH
        • vadNchangedeclining (LOOK FOR EXPLICITLY INCHOATIVE EXAMPLES WHERE THE GLOSS "DECLINED" IS CLEARLY IMPOSSIBLE)
        • vibe in a current reduced state of weakness
        • vifigurativebecome weaker (of sounds etc)
        • vtoNcausativeweakenCH
        老弱  lǎo ruò OC: ɡ-ruuʔ njewɡ MC: lɑu ȵi̯ɐk 5 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • NP{N1&N2}nonreferentialthose who are weak for reasons of high or low age
        不善  bù shàn MC: pjut dzyenX OC: pɯʔ ɡjenʔCH 4 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • NP[adN]those who are less than goodCH
        • NPabfeaturedeficiency, insufficient features of excellenceCH
        • VP[adN]deficiency, insufficiency; failure of excellenceCH
        柔  róu MC: nyuw OC: mljuCH 4 AttributionsWD

          Word relations
        • Assoc: 懦/FEAR Qiè 怯 "chicken-livered and unlikely to undertake risky tasks" and nuò 懦 (ant. yǒng 勇 "courage, boldness") as well as dàn 憚 "unduly prone to feelings of fear" refer to being pusilanimousness or the lack or courage where courage is required.

          Syntactic words
        • nabfeatureweakness, feeblenessCH
        • vibe feebleCH
        • vtoNpassivecausative: be (further) weakenedCH
        無告  wú gào OC: ma kuuɡs MC: mi̯o kɑu 3 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • NP[adN]those who have no one to appeal to; the helpless
        • VPihave no one to turn to (for support)CH
        懦  nuò MC: nwaH OC: noolsCH 3 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • vibe feeble; be frail; appear weakCH
        柔懦  róu nuò MC: nyuw nwaH OC: mlju noolsCH 3 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • NPabweakness, feebleness; pusillanimity; lack of political strengthCH
        • VPibe frail and feebleCH
        損  sǔn OC: squunʔ MC: suo̝n 2 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • vadVinsufficiently
        • vtoNcausativeweaken
        耗  hào OC: hmoows MC: hɑu 2 AttributionsWD

        Hào 耗 (ant. kāng 康 "increasingly vigorous and healthy") refers to the process of weakening that results from using up available resources.

          Word relations
        • Ant: 豐 / 酆/ABUNDANT Fēng 豐 (ant.*qiàn 歉 "poor natural harvest") refers primarily to the natural abundance of some feature or resource, but in elevated archaic discourse the word may also refer to abundance of sacrifice and the like. The rare fēng 丰 was not homophonous in ancient times, and the meaning emphasises beauty as well as abundance. [NATURAL!]

          Syntactic words
        • vibe feeble
        • vichangeget weaker
        虧  kuī OC: khʷral MC: khiɛ 2 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • viweakenCH
        • vt+prep+Nbe inferior to N, weaker than N
        • vtoNbe inferior to
        隙  xì OC: khaɡ MC: khɣɛk 2 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • nabstativeweak point or state of weakness
        • vihave cracks or other week pointsDS
        削弱  xiāo ruò OC: smewɡ njewɡ MC: si̯ɐk ȵi̯ɐk 2 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPtoNpassivebe decimated so as to be weakened as a result
        羸劣  léi liè OC: rol ɡ-rod MC: liɛ liɛt 2 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPadNemaciated and weak, worn out
        • VPibe emaciated and weak, be worn out
        非夫  fēi fū OC: pɯl pa MC: pɨi pi̯o 2 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • NPweaking, someone who is less than a man
        淖約  nào yuē MC: nraewH 'jak OC: rneewɡs qplewɡCH 2 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPibe vulnerable and weakCH
        怠  dài OC: lɯɯʔ MC: dəi 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • vichangeslacken, weaken
        疾  jí OC: dzid MC: dzit 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • nabpsychpsychological weakness and insufficiency
        耎  ruǎn OC: njonʔ MC: ȵiɛn 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • vadNweak and soft; pliable
        裸  luǒ OC: roolʔ MC: lʷɑ 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • vtoNfigurativeSTRIP OF ITS IMPRESSIVE APPEARANCE> make appear weak
        釁  xìn OC: hmrɯns MC: hin 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • nabstativeopenings for attack> weakness
        怯弱  qiè ruò OC: khab njewɡ MC: khi̯ɐp ȵi̯ɐk 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPibe chicken-livered; be fretful and weak
        懦弱  nuò ruò OC: nools njewɡ MC: nʷɑ ȵi̯ɐk 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPiquite weak
        羸老  léi lǎo OC: rol ɡ-ruuʔ MC: liɛ lɑu 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPifrail and old; past it
        老幼  lǎo yòu OC: ɡ-ruuʔ qriws MC: lɑu ʔi̯u 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • VP[adN]nonreferentialthose who are frail because of old age or young age
        老羸  lǎo léi OC: ɡ-ruuʔ rol MC: lɑu liɛ 1 AttributionWD

        the old and those who are weak from starvation [DS]

          Syntactic words
        • VPadVwhen one is old and decrepit
        軟弱  ruǎn ruò OC: njonʔ njewɡ MC: ȵiɛn ȵi̯ɐk 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPibe very weak (as a baby at birth)
        微  wēi OC: mɯl MC: mɨi 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • vadNweak in colour, faded
        • vibe weak in energy: gentle, wispy
        令緩  lìng huǎn MC: lengH hwanX OC: ɡ-reeŋs ɢʷaanʔCH 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPtoNcausativeweaken> slackenCH
        微弱  wēi wéi ruò MC: mj+j nyae OC: mɯl njewɡCH 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPibe (politically etc) weakCH
        褫  chí MC: drje OC: rleLZ 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • viinchoative(= chí 弛) slackenLZ
        脆弱  cuì ruò MC: tshjwejH nyae OC: tshods njewɡCH 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPifigurativebe powerlessCH
        熹微  xī wēi MC: xi mj+j OC: qhɯ mɯlDS 1 AttributionWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPiweak (of light)DS
        倪  ní OC: ŋee MC: ŋei 0 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • viyoung and weak, feeble
        儒  rú OC: njo MC: ȵi̯o 0 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • nweakling
        孱  chán OC: dzreen MC: ɖʐɣɛn 0 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • vipost-Han: weak, frail NB: in pre-Buddhist times the word refers to lack of courage.
        軟  ruǎn OC: njonʔ MC: ȵiɛn 0 AttributionsWD

          Word relations
        • Assoc: 弱/WEAK The current general word for weakness of any physical or abstract kind, and of anything including states, persons, and animals is ruò 弱 (ant. qiáng 強 "strong").

          Syntactic words
        • viLATE: pliable, malleable (also on the inside, structurally)
        幼弱  yòu ruò OC: qriws njewɡ MC: ʔi̯u ȵi̯ɐk 0 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • VP[adN]nonreferentialthe young and weak
        虛  xū OC: qhla MC: hi̯ɤ 0 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • vibe insufficient and weak 膽虛 "weak courage"
          Click here to add pinyin MC:  OC: CH 0 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPtoNcausativeweaken> slackenCH
          Click here to add pinyin MC:  OC: CH 0 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • VP[adN]deficiency, insufficiency; failure of excellenceCH
        柔懦  róu nuò MC: nyuw nwaH OC: mlju noolsCH 0 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPibe frail and feebleCH
        柔懦  róu nuò MC: nyuw nwaH OC: mlju noolsCH 0 AttributionsWD
          Syntactic words
        • VPibe frail and feebleCH

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