へなへな
へなへな
adjective
weak; flimsy; limp; wobbly
1.
weak; flimsy; limp; wobbly
Describes something lacking firmness or strength, whether a physical object that bends easily or a person whose body has gone limp from exhaustion or shock.
足がへなへなになった。
My legs went weak.
へなへなの段ボールでは荷物を支えられない。
Flimsy cardboard can't support the luggage.
長時間走ったあと、へなへなと座り込んでしまった。
After running for a long time, I sank weakly to the ground.
An onomatopoeic/mimetic word (gitaigo) describing something that lacks firmness or strength. Can describe both physical objects (flimsy, bendy) and people's physical state (weak-kneed, wobbly).
USAGE:
- へなへなになる: to go limp, to become weak
- へなへなと + verb: in a weak, wobbly manner (adverbial use)
- へなへなの/な + noun: flimsy, weak (adjectival use)
- Often used humorously or to express sudden loss of strength
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 足がへなへなになる: legs go weak
- へなへなと崩れる: to collapse weakly
- へなへなと座り込む: to sink down weakly
- へなへなの文字: wobbly, shaky handwriting
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ふにゃふにゃ: soft, limp, squishy — focuses more on softness than weakness
- よれよれ: worn out, shabby — describes something that has become weak through use
- ぐにゃぐにゃ: bendy, flexible — emphasizes bending or lack of rigidity