How to say "weakness" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 弱点じゃくてんnounA weak point or shortcoming in a person, team, plan, or argument: a specific spot where something or someone is vulnerable. Use it when 'weakness' means a defect you might work on.
- 衰弱すいじゃくsuru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectivePhysical weakness: the loss of strength and vigor that comes with illness, overwork, or undernourishment, often as a gradual decline. It does not mean a shortcoming or flaw.
- 弱みよわみnounA person's weakness as a failing or sore point that others could take advantage of — something you would rather keep hidden. It suggests vulnerability to pressure rather than a mere defect.
- 難点なんてんnounA fault, flaw, or drawback in a thing — a plan, proposal, or arrangement — rather than in a person's body or character. Use it for the weak point you name when judging something.
- 虚弱きょじゃくna-adjective, no-adjectiveFrailty or feebleness of the body: a state of poor physical strength, often present as an inherent trait rather than a sudden decline. Not used for shortcomings of character or flaws in plans.
Use 弱点 for a weak point or shortcoming, 「弱み」 for a personal vulnerability others can exploit, 難点 for a flaw in a plan or thing, and 衰弱 or 虚弱 for physical weakness — declining strength versus constitutional frailty.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 弱点じゃくてんweak point
- 衰弱すいじゃくweakness
- 弱みよわみ(a) weakness
- 難点なんてんfault
- 虚弱きょじゃくfeebleness
- 薄弱はくじゃくfeebleness
- ウィークポイントweak point
- 欠点けってんfault
- 押し目おしめweakness
- 脱力だつりょくloss of strength
- 弱さよわさweakness
- 羸弱るいじゃくweakness
- 付け目つけめweak point (to take advantage of)
- 病癖びょうへきbad habit
- 脆弱性ぜいじゃくせいvulnerability
- 弱勢じゃくせいinferiority
- 柔じゅうsoftness
- 嗜欲しよくliking (for)
- へたれincompetence
- 低調ていちょうinactive
- 弱じゃくweakness
- 病気びょうきbad habit
- 傷きずflaw
- 病やまいbad habit
- ぼろfault (one is trying to hide)
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
