か弱(よわ)い

かよわい
i-adjective
weak; frail; delicate
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Presentか弱(よわ)いか弱(よわ)くない
Pastか弱(よわ)かったか弱(よわ)くなかった
て formか弱(よわ)くてか弱(よわ)くなくて
Adverbialか弱(よわ)く—
Conditional ばか弱(よわ)ければか弱(よわ)くなければ
Conditional たらか弱(よわ)かったらか弱(よわ)くなかったら
1. weak; frail; delicate
physically or emotionally weak; fragile and easily harmed; often implies a sense of needing protection
か弱(よわ)い子犬(こいぬ)を保護(ほご)した。
I rescued a frail puppy.
か弱(よわ)い女性(じょせい)を装(よそお)っていた。
She was pretending to be a fragile woman.
か弱(よわ)い声(こえ)で助(たす)けを求(もと)めた。
She asked for help in a weak voice.

か弱(よわ)い describes physical or emotional fragility, often evoking a sense of vulnerability or need for protection.

ETYMOLOGY:
The prefix か is an intensifier meaning "somewhat" or "in a manner of," combined with 弱(よわ)い (weak).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • か弱(よわ)い女性(じょせい) (a delicate/fragile woman)
  • か弱(よわ)い体(からだ) (a frail body)
  • か弱(よわ)い存在(そんざい) (a vulnerable being)
  • か弱(よわ)い声(こえ) (a weak voice)

NUANCE:

  • Has a literary or emotional quality
  • Often used to describe women, children, or small animals
  • Implies something or someone that evokes protective feelings
  • Can be used ironically to describe someone who appears weak but isn't

RELATED TERMS:

  • 弱(よわ)い (weak - basic form)
  • 華奢(きゃしゃ) (delicate, slender)
  • か細(かぼそ)い (thin, weak)
  • 儚(はかな)い (fleeting, fragile)

REGISTER: Literary to neutral. More formal than simple 弱(よわ)い.

general
Added 2026.1.21 22:22
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