Translation guide
The English word "weakness" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese. This guide breaks them down into practical meanings: a personal flaw or shortcoming, a lack of physical strength, a fondness or soft spot, and a vulnerable point in a system or argument.
Describing a character defect, fault, or area where someone lacks ability.
The most common and versatile word for a personal weakness or weak point. Can be used for skills, personality, or vulnerabilities.
彼の弱点は忍耐力がないことだ。
His weakness is a lack of patience.
自分の弱点を克服したい。
I want to overcome my weaknesses.
Refers to a shortcoming or demerit, often contrasted with 長所 (strong point). Common in self-introductions or evaluations.
私の短所はすぐに緊張することです。
My weakness is that I get nervous easily.
A flaw, defect, or fault. Slightly more negative than 短所, often used for character flaws or product defects.
彼は欠点のない人間ではない。
He is not a person without weaknesses.
A vulnerability or weak point that can be exploited by others. Often used in competitive or strategic contexts.
彼は弱みを握られている。
He has a weakness that someone is holding over him.
Referring to bodily weakness, frailty, or lack of force.
The noun form of 弱い (weak), used for physical weakness, lack of power, or intensity.
病気の後で体の弱さを感じる。
After the illness, I feel physical weakness.
彼は力の弱さを補うために技術を磨いた。
He honed his technique to compensate for his lack of strength.
Constitutional weakness or frailty, often used in medical or formal contexts.
Debilitation or extreme weakness, often due to illness or age.
Expressing a strong liking or indulgence for something, often to the point of being unable to resist.
A pattern meaning 'to have a weakness for ~' or 'to be easily swayed by ~'. Used for food, drinks, flattery, etc.
私は甘いものに弱い。
I have a weakness for sweets.
彼は美人に弱い。
He has a weakness for beautiful women.
Literally 'to have no eyes', meaning to be extremely fond of something, unable to resist. Stronger than 〜に弱い.
Referring to a flaw, loophole, or weak spot in a plan, theory, or structure.
Also used for non-personal weak points, such as in a system, argument, or defense.
その計画の弱点は資金不足だ。
The weakness of the plan is lack of funding.
敵の弱点を突く。
Attack the enemy's weak point.
A defect or flaw, often used for products, systems, or logical flaws. More formal than 弱点.
Literally 'hole', used metaphorically for a loophole or gap in an argument, plan, or security.
弱点 (jakuten) is the most general term for a weak point, applicable to people, systems, or arguments. 短所 (tansho) is specifically a personal shortcoming, often used in self-assessment and contrasted with 長所 (chousho, strength). 欠点 (ketten) implies a flaw or defect and can sound more negative; it's used for character flaws or product defects.
When expressing a fondness or soft spot, do not directly translate 'weakness' as 弱点. Instead, use the pattern 〜に弱い or the idiom 目がない. Saying '私の弱点は甘いものだ' is unnatural; use '私は甘いものに弱い'.
あなたの最大の弱点は何ですか？
What is your greatest weakness?
In a job interview context, 短所 (tansho) is also common.
私はチョコレートに弱い。
I have a weakness for chocolate.
そのチームの弱点は守備だ。
The team's weakness is its defense.
He has a weak constitution.
患者は衰弱が激しい。
The patient is extremely weak.
He has a real weakness for sweets.
このソフトウェアには重大な欠陥がある。
This software has a serious weakness.
There's a weakness in his theory.