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What is the Kanji for 'Weak'? | 弱

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Weak', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Weak' is 弱.

    kanji

    弱

    Meaning

    Weak

    Reading

    kunyomiよわ

    yowa

    onyomiじゃく

    jaku

    Parts

    冫Ice (水)弓Bow

    Example Word

    弱い: weak. The Japanese adjective '弱い (よわい)' means 'weak'. It is used to describe a lack of physical strength, emotional resilience, or even the intensity of something like light or flavor. For example: he is weak「彼は弱い」(かれはよわい). This tea is weak「このお茶は弱い」(このおちゃはよわい). It can also describe vulnerability or susceptibility, as in 'weak to colds'「風邪に弱い」(かぜによわい). The adjective is versatile and can be applied to both tangible and intangible concepts.

    Radical

    弓

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    643

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 弱

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    冫

    Meaning

    Ice

    kanji

    弓

    Meaning

    Bow

弱 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    溺

    Meaning

    Drown, Indulge

Words Using 弱

This kanji is used in 8 words:

    word

    弱点

    Meaning

    Weakness

    word

    弱

    Meaning

    Weakness

    word

    弱める

    Meaning

    Weaken

    word

    弱気

    Meaning

    Timid

    word

    弱る

    Meaning

    Weaken

    word

    弱まる

    Meaning

    Weaken

    word

    弱い

    Meaning

    Weak

    word

    弱み

    Meaning

    Weakness

Kanji Related to 弱 Through the Part 冫

These 13 kanji contain the part 冫 as well.

    kanji

    准

    Meaning

    Approve, Semi

    kanji

    凄

    Meaning

    Nifty

    kanji

    凍

    Meaning

    Freeze, Frozen

    kanji

    冷

    Meaning

    Cold

    kanji

    次

    Meaning

    Next

    kanji

    冶

    Meaning

    Melting, Smelting

    kanji

    寒

    Meaning

    Cold

    kanji

    羽

    Meaning

    Feather

    kanji

    北

    Meaning

    North

    kanji

    凝

    Meaning

    Congeal

    kanji

    塁

    Meaning

    Base, Small fort

    kanji

    冬

    Meaning

    Winter

    kanji

    楽

    Meaning

    Music, Pleasure

Kanji Related to 弱 Through the Part 弓

These 9 kanji contain the part 弓 as well.

    kanji

    張

    Meaning

    Spread, Stretch

    kanji

    弥

    Meaning

    Increasing

    kanji

    弟

    Meaning

    Younger brother

    kanji

    弔

    Meaning

    Mourn, Condolence

    kanji

    弧

    Meaning

    Arc, Arch

    kanji

    弾

    Meaning

    Bullet, Projectile

    kanji

    引

    Meaning

    Pull

    kanji

    弦

    Meaning

    String, Bowstring

    kanji

    強

    Meaning

    Strong

Learn the Kanji 弱

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 弱 mean?

弱 means 'Weak'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.