1.
strength and weakness
The contrast between strong and weak; varying degrees of power or force.
Compound of 強 (strong) and 弱 (weak). Refers to the contrast or variation between strong and weak forces, intensities, or volumes.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 強弱をつける: to vary the intensity/dynamics
- 強弱がある: there is variation in strength
- 強弱記号: dynamic markings (in music)
- 強弱の差: difference in intensity
MUSICAL USAGE:
In music, 強弱 corresponds to dynamics (forte, piano, crescendo, etc.). This is one of the most common contexts for the word.
SIMILAR COMPOUND PAIRS:
Japanese has many antonym-pair compounds: 大小 (large and small), 長短 (long and short), 高低 (high and low).