Meaning
柔弱 describes someone or something that is physically or emotionally weak, delicate, or lacking strength. It emphasizes both softness (柔) and weakness (弱), often referring to a gentle, fragile quality. While it can describe physical frailty, it frequently carries connotations about character or temperament, suggesting vulnerability or lack of assertiveness.
Usage
This word often describes people, especially women or children, in terms of physical delicacy or gentle temperament. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context—sometimes implying admirable gentleness, other times suggesting excessive weakness or inability to be assertive. Common in literary and formal contexts, less so in casual speech.
Examples
- 01她看起来很柔弱，但内心非常坚强。, .She looks delicate, but her heart is very strong.
- 02这种植物太柔弱，经不起风吹雨打。, .This plant is too delicate and cannot withstand wind and rain.
Characters
Common collocations
- 柔弱的身体weak/delicate body
- 性格柔弱gentle/weak personality
- 柔弱无力weak and powerless
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters reinforce the concept of softness and lack of strength. 柔 originally depicted pliable wood, while 弱 combines bow radicals suggesting something that bends easily or lacks force.