How common it is
弱 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say ruò slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“弱”表示力量小、身体不强壮或能力不足。比如，小动物刚出生时很弱，需要妈妈照顾。
“Ruò” biǎoshì lìliàng xiǎo, shēntǐ bù qiángzhuàng huò nénglì bùzú. Bǐrú, xiǎo dòngwù gāng chūshēng shí hěn ruò, xūyào māma zhàogù.
"Weak" means having little strength, a body that is not strong, or insufficient ability. For example, baby animals are very weak when they are born and need their mother's care.
Context note
这个词常用来描述身体状态、性格或事物的强度。在儿童语境中，可以说“我感冒了，身体很弱”，但不要用于嘲笑别人。
Zhège cí cháng yòng lái miáoshù shēntǐ zhuàngtài, xìnggé huò shìwù de qiángdù. Zài értóng yǔjìng zhōng, kěyǐ shuō “wǒ gǎnmào le, shēntǐ hěn ruò”, dàn bùyào yòng yú cháoxiào biérén.
This word is often used to describe physical condition, personality, or the intensity of things. In a children's context, you can say "I have a cold, my body is very weak," but do not use it to mock others.
5 examples
这只小猫很弱，需要多喝牛奶。
zhè zhī xiǎo māo hěn ruò， xū yào duō hē niú nǎi。
This kitten is very weak and needs to drink more milk.
他生病了，所以身体很弱。
tā shēng bìng le， suǒ yǐ shēn tǐ hěn ruò。
He is sick, so his body is very weak.
不要欺负弱小的同学。
bú yào qī fù ruò xiǎo de tóng xué。
Don't bully weak classmates.
风很弱，树叶都不动。
fēng hěn ruò， shù yè dōu bú dòng。
The wind is very weak, and the leaves don't move.
她的声音很弱，我听不清。
tā de shēng yīn hěn ruò， wǒ tīng bù qīng。
Her voice is very weak, I can't hear clearly.
5 mini stories
小兔子刚出生时很弱。兔妈妈每天喂它吃奶。
xiǎo tù zi gāng chū shēng shí hěn ruò。 tù mā ma měi tiān wèi tā chī nǎi。
The little rabbit was very weak when it was born. Mother rabbit feeds it milk every day.
小明感冒了，身体很弱。他躺在床上休息。
xiǎo míng gǎn mào le， shēn tǐ hěn ruò。 tā tǎng zài chuáng shàng xiū xi。
Xiao Ming has a cold and is very weak. He lies in bed to rest.
小树苗很弱，需要阳光和水。小朋友每天给它浇水。
xiǎo shù miáo hěn ruò， xū yào yáng guāng hé shuǐ。 xiǎo péng yǒu měi tiān gěi tā jiāo shuǐ。
The little sapling is very weak and needs sunlight and water. The child waters it every day.
小蚂蚁很弱，但大家一起搬食物。它们很团结。
xiǎo mǎ yǐ hěn ruò， dàn dà jiā yì qǐ bān shí wù。 tā men hěn tuán jié。
Little ants are weak, but they move food together. They are very united.
妹妹的腿很弱，走路慢。哥哥牵着她走。
mèi mei de tuǐ hěn ruò， zǒu lù màn。 gē ge qiān zhe tā zǒu。
Little sister's legs are weak, and she walks slowly. Big brother holds her hand and walks.