柔弱(じゅうじゃく)

じゅうじゃく
na-adjective, noun
weak; feeble; effeminate; soft
personalityhealth
1. weak; feeble; effeminate; soft
Often carries a negative connotation, suggesting lack of physical or mental toughness
柔弱(じゅうじゃく)な体(からだ)を鍛(きた)える。
To train a weak body.
彼(かれ)は見(み)た目(め)は柔弱(じゅうじゃく)だが、意志(いし)は強(つよ)い。
He looks frail, but his willpower is strong.
祖父(そふ)は、現代(げんだい)の若者(わかもの)は柔弱(じゅうじゃく)になったと嘆(なげ)いている。
My grandfather laments that today's young people have become soft.

Describes physical or mental weakness, often with a nuance of being too delicate or pampered. The word is literary and somewhat old-fashioned, typically used by older speakers or in written criticism. It can describe both physical frailty and a lack of resilience or toughness.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 軟弱(なんじゃく): weak, spineless (similar meaning but more commonly used; stronger negative tone)
  • 虚弱(きょじゃく): physically frail, delicate (medical/physical weakness without the moral judgment)
  • ひ弱(ひよわ): delicate, fragile (casual; often used for appearance)

Related Words

Compare: 軟弱(なんじゃく) (weak, spineless (similar meaning but…)
Compare: 虚弱(きょじゃく) (physically frail, delicate)
general
Added 2026.4.30 23:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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