病弱(びょうじゃく)

びょうじゃく
na-adjective, noun
sickly; frail
descriptive
1. sickly; frail; of weak constitution
Describes a person who is physically weak and frequently falls ill. Refers to a chronic condition of poor health rather than a specific illness.
彼(かれ)は子供(こども)の頃(ころ)病弱(びょうじゃく)だった。
He was sickly as a child.
I started swimming to strengthen my frail body.
病弱(びょうじゃく)だった祖母(そぼ)は、それでも九十歳(きゅうじゅっさい)まで長生(ながい)きした。
My grandmother, who had always been frail, nevertheless lived to ninety.

Usage

Used as a な-adjective (病弱(びょうじゃく)な人(ひと)) or as a noun (病弱(びょうじゃく)). Describes a long-term pattern of poor health rather than a temporary illness. Often used when describing someone's childhood or constitution.

Common collocations