弱
weak · frail
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Two bows representing flexible bows. Weak.
Symbolism
Weakness, weak point, debility. Represents lack of power.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Acknowledging weakness
Component Breakdown
bow + 冫
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
意志薄弱
いしはくじゃく
weak-willed; lacking a purpose; lacking will power to be patient, purposeful, or resolute
弱肉強食
じゃくにくきょうしょく
the law of the jungle; the strong prey on the weak; the weak become the victim of the strong
心神耗弱
しんしんこうじゃく
diminished capacity; diminished responsibility; legally unaccountable (e.g. due to mental illness, drugs, alcohol, etc.)
薄志弱行
はくしじゃっこう
infirm of purpose and lacking in decision
一強多弱
いっきょうたじゃく
one strong, many weak
一強皆弱
いっきょうかいじゃく
one strong, everyone else weak
Poetry
玉のをよ たえなばたえね ながらへば 忍ぶることの 弱りもぞする
Thread of my life, if you must break, then break. If I live on, my strength to keep this hidden will fail.
Anime & Manga
弱虫ペダル
Yowamushi Pedal
Story of a 'weak' otaku boy growing through cycling.
弱キャラ友崎くん
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki
A well-known work with 弱 in its Japanese title.
最弱無敗の神装機竜《バハムート》
Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle
A well-known work with 弱 in its Japanese title.
最弱テイマーはゴミ拾いの旅を始めました。
The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash
A well-known work with 弱 in its Japanese title.
味方が弱すぎて補助魔法に徹していた宮廷魔法師、追放されて最強を目指す
The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest
A well-known work with 弱 in its Japanese title.
Games
アンダーテール
Undertale(2015)
Developer: Toby Fox
RPG where a 'weak' human fights in a world of monsters.
View on Amazon →Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 弱 mean in Japanese?
弱 means weak, frail.
How do you read 弱?
On'yomi: ジャク (JAKU). Kun'yomi: よわ.い、よわ.る、よわ.まる、よわ.める (yowai, yowaru, yowamaru, yowameru).
How many strokes does 弱 have?
弱 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 弓 (bow).
Is 弱 a good kanji for a tattoo?
弱 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means weak, frail. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:weak