弱 ruò weak
weak; fragile; delicate
How it came to be
Two bows side by side, the strings frayed into strands. It is not one weak thing but a pair, both gone slack, because doubling is how the script says 'thoroughly'.
How it is used
- 弱 is the basic word for weak, and it's the direct opposite of 强 (qiáng) strong - 身体弱 (shēntǐ ruò) physically weak, 能力很强 (nénglì hěn qiáng) very capable.
- 弱点 (ruòdiǎn) is someone's weak point/flaw; 弱势 (ruòshì) describes a disadvantaged position, most often in 弱势群体 (ruòshì qúntǐ) "vulnerable/disadvantaged groups", a phrase common in social-policy discussion.
- 脆弱 (cuìruò) leans toward fragile/emotionally delicate, while 薄弱 (bóruò) describes a weak foundation or basis, e.g. 基础薄弱 (jīchǔ bóruò) a weak foundation - pick the compound based on what's weak, not 弱 alone.
- 减弱 (jiǎnruò) and 削弱 (xuēruò) both mean "to weaken (something)", with 削弱 sounding more deliberate/forceful, as in weakening an opponent's power.