Translation guide
The English word "weak" covers many meanings, from physical strength to personality, arguments, and intensity. Japanese uses different words depending on what is weak. This guide organizes the most common meanings for learners.
Describing someone or something lacking physical strength or power.
The most common and general word for physically weak. Can be used for people, animals, or body parts.
彼は体が弱い。
He is physically weak.
この子犬はまだ弱い。
This puppy is still weak.
Emphasizes delicate, frail weakness, often used for women, children, or small creatures. Has a slightly literary or emotional tone.
か弱い少女が助けを求めていた。
A frail girl was asking for help.
Literally 'lack of power', used to describe someone physically powerless or lacking strength, often in a self-deprecating or formal context.
非力な私にはこの荷物は運べません。
I'm too weak to carry this luggage.
Describing a person who easily gives in, lacks resolve, or is easily influenced.
A common phrase meaning 'weak-willed'. Literally 'will is weak'.
彼は意志が弱くて、すぐに誘惑に負ける。
He is weak-willed and easily gives in to temptation.
Means timid, faint-hearted, or lacking courage. Often used for someone who is easily intimidated.
気が弱いから、人に強く言えない。
I'm weak-spirited, so I can't speak firmly to people.
A noun or na-adjective meaning timidity, weakness of spirit, or bearish sentiment. Often used in contrast to 強気 (strong/aggressive).
Describing reasoning, excuses, or points that are not persuasive or lack substance.
Can be used directly for weak arguments or points. Often in phrases like 根拠が弱い (evidence is weak).
その主張は根拠が弱い。
That claim has weak evidence.
Literally 'lacks persuasive power'. A natural way to say an argument is weak/unconvincing.
彼の説明は説得力がない。
His explanation is weak (unconvincing).
Formal word meaning 'weak, feeble, flimsy', often used for arguments or evidence in written or formal contexts.
Referring to a flaw, weak spot, or something one is not good at.
The standard word for 'weak point' or 'weakness'. Used for personal weaknesses, vulnerabilities, or flaws in plans.
数学が私の弱点です。
Math is my weak point.
敵の弱点を見つけた。
I found the enemy's weak point.
Similar to 弱点, but often implies a personal vulnerability that can be exploited. Can also mean 'weakness' in a more emotional or relational sense.
Means 'weak point' in the sense of something one is not good at or dislikes. Very common for personal skills or subjects.
Describing something that is faint, dim, low, or not strong in degree.
General word for weak intensity. Can be used for light, sound, taste, radio signals, etc.
この電波は弱い。
This signal is weak.
弱い光の中で本を読むと目が悪くなる。
Reading in weak light ruins your eyesight.
Means 'thin' or 'weak' for taste, color, or concentration. Often used for weak coffee, tea, or flavor.
このコーヒーは薄い。
This coffee is weak.
Means 'faint', 'dim', or 'barely perceptible'. Used for weak sounds, light, smells, or hope.
かすかな音が聞こえた。
I heard a faint/weak sound.
Describing financial weakness, low value, or poor performance.
Describing a liquid that is not concentrated, such as weak alcohol or a weak solution.
The standard word for weak/diluted drinks or solutions. Opposite of 濃い (strong/concentrated).
お酒を薄くしてください。
Please make my drink weak.
Means 'watery' or 'weak' in a negative sense, implying too much water. Used for soup, juice, etc.
English 'weak' maps to many Japanese words. Using 弱い for weak coffee (薄い) or a weak point (弱点) will sound unnatural. Always consider the specific meaning.
弱い is for strength/power (signal, light, person). 薄い is for density/concentration (color, taste, liquid). For coffee, 薄い is correct; 弱い would mean the coffee lacks 'power' or caffeine effect, which is unusual.
Don't be weak/timid.
その理論は根拠が薄弱だ。
That theory is based on weak evidence.
彼は弱みを見せない。
He doesn't show weakness.
I'm weak at English.
株式市場は弱含みだ。
The stock market is weak/bearish.
このスープは水っぽい。
This soup is weak/watery.