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.
彼は子供の頃病弱だった。
He was sickly as a child.
病弱な体を鍛えるために水泳を始めた。
I started swimming to strengthen my frail body.
病弱だった祖母は、それでも九十歳まで長生きした。
My grandmother, who had always been frail, nevertheless lived to ninety.
USAGE:
Used as a な-adjective (病弱な人) or as a noun (病弱). Describes a long-term pattern of poor health rather than a temporary illness. Often used when describing someone's childhood or constitution.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 病弱な体: frail body
- 病弱な子供: sickly child
- 生まれつき病弱: sickly from birth
- 病弱で学校を休みがち: often absent from school due to poor health