強弱(きょうじゃく)

きょうじゃく
noun
strength and weakness; intensity
1. strength and weakness
The contrast between strong and weak; varying degrees of power or force.
風(かぜ)の強弱(きょうじゃく)がある。
There are variations in wind strength.
Reception quality changes depending on signal strength.
The intensity of earthquake shaking varies by location.
2. intensity; dynamics
Variation in loudness or force, especially in music.
音(おと)の強弱(きょうじゃく)をつける。
To add dynamics (loud and soft) to the sound.
強弱(きょうじゃく)をつけて演奏(えんそう)する。
To play with varying dynamics.
This piece has dramatic dynamic changes.

Compound of 強(きょう) (strong) and 弱(じゃく) (weak). Refers to the contrast or variation between strong and weak forces, intensities, or volumes.

Common patterns

  • 強弱(きょうじゃく)をつける: to vary the intensity/dynamics
  • 強弱(きょうじゃく)がある: there is variation in strength
  • 強弱(きょうじゃく)記号(きごう): dynamic markings (in music)
  • 強弱(きょうじゃく)の差(さ): difference in intensity

USAGE (music):
In music, 強弱(きょうじゃく) corresponds to dynamics (forte, piano, crescendo, etc.). This is one of the most common contexts for the word.

RELATED WORDS (paired-kanji compounds):
Japanese has many antonym-pair compounds: 大小(だいしょう) (large and small), 長短(ちょうたん) (long and short), 高低(こうてい) (high and low).