WEAK    弱弱

LACK STRENGTH.
FRAILFEEBLEDELICATEFRAGILEINFIRMSICKSICKLYDEBILITATEDINCAPACITATEDAILINGINDISPOSEDDECREPITTIREDFATIGUEDEXHAUSTEDANEMICINFORMAL WEEDY
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 ／
Hyponym
Antonym
  • ABUNDANTHAVE OR BE INTENSELY MANY, TYPICALLY DESIRED, THINGS. 
  • STRONGABLE to ACHIEVE DIFFICULT TASKS of the BODY OR to the MIND.
See also
  • TENUOUSUNIMPORTANT BECAUSE LACKING BIGNESS, REALITY, OR HIGH DEGREE.
Hypernym
  • LACK　SITUATION OF NOT HAVING, OR NOT to BEING-IN the UNIVERSE. (anc: 6/0, child: 48)
  • SITUATION　RELATION in which MANY HUMANS, FEATURES OR THINGS EXIST TOGETHER OR INTERACT. (anc: 5/0, child: 11)
  • RELATION　FEATURE of TWO OR MORE THINGS TOGETHER. (anc: 4/0, child: 15)
  • 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 (50 items)

    弱  ruò OC: njewɡ MC: ȵi̯ɐk 84 Attributions

    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 Attributions

    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
    輕  qìng OC: kheŋs MC: khiɛŋ
    輕  qīng OC: kheŋ MC: khiɛŋ 9 Attributions

      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
    羸  léi MC: ljwe OC: rol 9 Attributions

    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
    薄  báo/bó MC: -- OC: -- 7 Attributions

    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
    弛  chí OC: lʰelʔ MC: ɕiɛ 7 Attributions

    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)
    衰  shuāi OC: srul MC: ʂi 5 Attributions

    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 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NP{N1&N2}nonreferentialthose who are weak for reasons of high or low age
    緩  huǎn OC: ɢʷaanʔ MC: ɦʷɑn 5 Attributions

    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)
    不善  bù shàn MC: pjut dzyenX OC: pɯʔ ɡjenʔ 4 Attributions
      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: mlju 4 Attributions

      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 Attributions
      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: nools 3 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vibe feeble; be frail; appear weakCH
    柔懦  róu nuò MC: nyuw nwaH OC: mlju nools 3 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPabweakness, feebleness; pusillanimity; lack of political strengthCH
    • VPibe frail and feebleCH
    耗  hào OC: hmoows MC: hɑu 2 Attributions

    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 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • viweakenCH
    • vt+prep+Nbe inferior to N, weaker than N
    • vtoNbe inferior to
    隙  xì OC: khaɡ MC: khɣɛk 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • nabstativeweak point or state of weakness
    • vihave cracks or other week pointsDS
    非夫  fēi fū OC: pɯl pa MC: pɨi pi̯o 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • NPweaking, someone who is less than a man
    淖約  nào yuē MC: nraewH 'jak OC: rneewɡs qplewɡ 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe vulnerable and weakCH
    羸劣  léi liè OC: rol ɡ-rod MC: liɛ liɛt 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPadNemaciated and weak, worn out
    • VPibe emaciated and weak, be worn out
    削弱  xiāo ruò OC: smewɡ njewɡ MC: si̯ɐk ȵi̯ɐk 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPtoNpassivebe decimated so as to be weakened as a result
    損  sǔn OC: squunʔ MC: suo̝n 2 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vadVinsufficiently
    • vtoNcausativeweaken
    耎  ruǎn OC: njonʔ MC: ȵiɛn 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vadNweak and soft; pliable
    怯弱  qiè ruò OC: khab njewɡ MC: khi̯ɐp ȵi̯ɐk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe chicken-livered; be fretful and weak
    裸  luǒ OC: roolʔ MC: lʷɑ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vtoNfigurativeSTRIP OF ITS IMPRESSIVE APPEARANCE> make appear weak
    褫  chí MC: drje OC: rle 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • viinchoative(= chí 弛) slackenLZ
    令緩  lìng huǎn MC: lengH hwanX OC: ɡ-reeŋs ɢʷaanʔ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPtoNcausativeweaken> slackenCH
    釁  xìn OC: hmrɯns MC: hin 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • nabstativeopenings for attack> weakness
    閒  jiān MC: kean OC: kreen 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • nabweak point or state of weaknessLZ
    熹微  xī wēi MC: xi mj+j OC: qhɯ mɯl 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPiweak (of light)DS
    軟弱  ruǎn ruò OC: njonʔ njewɡ MC: ȵiɛn ȵi̯ɐk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe very weak (as a baby at birth)
    懦弱  nuò ruò OC: nools njewɡ MC: nʷɑ ȵi̯ɐk 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPiquite weak
    老幼  lǎo yòu OC: ɡ-ruuʔ qriws MC: lɑu ʔi̯u 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VP[adN]nonreferentialthose who are frail because of old age or young age
    微  wēi OC: mɯl MC: mɨi 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vadNweak in colour, faded
    • vibe weak in energy: gentle, wispy
    怠  dài OC: lɯɯʔ MC: dəi 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • vichangeslacken, weaken
    微弱  wēi wéi ruò MC: mj+j nyae OC: mɯl njewɡ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe (politically etc) weakCH
    疾  jí OC: dzid MC: dzit 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • nabpsychpsychological weakness and insufficiency
    羸老  léi lǎo OC: rol ɡ-ruuʔ MC: liɛ lɑu 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPifrail and old; past it
    脆弱  cuì ruò MC: tshjwejH nyae OC: tshods njewɡ 1 Attribution
      Syntactic words
    • VPifigurativebe powerlessCH
    老羸  lǎo léi OC: ɡ-ruuʔ rol MC: lɑu liɛ 1 Attribution

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

      Syntactic words
    • VPadVwhen one is old and decrepit
    虛  xū OC: qhla MC: hi̯ɤ 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vibe insufficient and weak 膽虛 "weak courage"
    軟  ruǎn OC: njonʔ MC: ȵiɛn 0 Attributions

      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)
    倪  ní OC: ŋee MC: ŋei 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • viyoung and weak, feeble
    幼弱  yòu ruò OC: qriws njewɡ MC: ʔi̯u ȵi̯ɐk 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VP[adN]nonreferentialthe young and weak
    儒  rú OC: njo MC: ȵi̯o 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • nweakling
    孱  chán OC: dzreen MC: ɖʐɣɛn 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • vipost-Han: weak, frail NB: in pre-Buddhist times the word refers to lack of courage.
      Click here to add pinyin MC:  OC: 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPtoNcausativeweaken> slackenCH
      Click here to add pinyin MC:  OC: 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VP[adN]deficiency, insufficiency; failure of excellenceCH
    柔懦  róu nuò MC: nyuw nwaH OC: mlju nools 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe frail and feebleCH
    柔懦  róu nuò MC: nyuw nwaH OC: mlju nools 0 Attributions
      Syntactic words
    • VPibe frail and feebleCH