弱気|よわきyowaki[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, no-adjectivetimid; weak-kneed; fainthearted
   弱気よわきが美人びじんを得えたためしがない。↗

   Faint heart never won fair lady.
2. na-adjective, no-adjective, stock marketbearish

• Synonym臆病おくびょうNeutralCowardly and easily frightened; stresses a timid personality. 「弱気」 is a temporary lack of confidence and a passive attitude, and also covers a bearish market view.
• Synonym小心しょうしんWrittenWritten/formal prose for being timid and cautious; can also suggest caution taken too far. 「弱気」 is about lacking confidence in the outcome.
• Synonym気弱きよわNeutralWeak-willed and lacking confidence; usually describes an enduring personality. 「弱気」 can be no more than a momentary attitude.
• Synonym意気地のないいくじのないNeutralSpineless and lacking backbone — said with criticism. 「弱気」 only describes a passive attitude and is not necessarily derogatory.
• Synonym気が小さいきがちいさいNeutralA colloquial set phrase for being timid by nature — a character trait, not a passing negative attitude.
• Synonym怯弱きょうじゃくWrittenA rare written/formal prose word for cowardice, stressing timidity; 「臆病」 is the usual choice.
• Related内気うちきNeutralIntroverted and shy, bashful with strangers — a personality trait. 「弱気」 is about lacking confidence in the outcome and a passive attitude.
• Related軟弱なんじゃくWrittenWritten/formal prose for weakness, also used of a weak, sluggish market; stresses weak willpower.
• Related不甲斐ないふがいないNeutralDisappointing, not living up to expectations — carries self-reproach or criticism, and focuses on poor performance.
• Related柔弱にゅうじゃくWrittenWritten/formal prose for being weak and feeble, with an overtone of unmanliness; leans derogatory.
• Related心弱いこころよわいWrittenA rare written/formal prose word: weak-willed, quick to feel anxious and slow to decide. 「弱気」 leans toward a temporary passive attitude.
• Related女々しいめめしいNeutralEffeminate and unmanly; carries gender-bias overtones, so use with care in modern Japanese.
• Related気弱いきよわいNeutralTimid and cowardly — the same idea as 「気弱」, in adjective form; colloquial.

Use 「弱気」 for a temporary lack of confidence and a passive attitude, as in 「弱気になる」; a bearish view of the market is also 「弱気」. For a timid personality say 「臆病」 or 「気弱」, for shyness 「内気」, for spinelessness 「不甲斐ない」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 失敗しっぱいすると思おもって消極的しょうきょくてきな態度たいどを取とること。また、そのさま。
2. 取引とりひきで、相場そうばが下さがると予想よそうすること。また、そのさま。