mềm yếu
Definition
Adjective:
- Soft and weak; lacking firmness or strength: Describes a physical state of being pliant, flaccid, or not robust.
- Weak-willed; spineless; lacking in fortitude or determination: Describes a person's character, spirit, or resolve as feeble, indecisive, or lacking the courage to fight or persevere.
Adjective (descriptive usage):
- Flimsy; lacking force or vigor: Can describe abstract things like arguments, writing, or policies that are unconvincing, feeble, or ineffective.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (describing character):
- Anh ta có bản tính mềm yếu, nên dễ bị người khác thao túng. (He has a weak-willed nature, so he is easily manipulated by others.)
- Adjective (describing physical state or abstract concepts):
- Sau trận ốm, cơ thể cô ấy trở nên mềm yếu. (After the illness, her body became soft and weak.)
- Lập luận của bài báo đó quá mềm yếu. (The argument in that article is too flimsy.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used in a critical or disapproving context to highlight a deficiency in strength, whether moral, physical, or intellectual.
- Can be applied metaphorically to organizations or systems perceived as ineffective or lacking resilience.
Variants and Related Words
- Nhu nhược (adj): Weak-kneed, pusillanimous; often carries a stronger negative connotation of cowardice than .
- Yếu đuối (adj): Weak, feeble; commonly used for physical weakness but can also apply to character.
- Mềm lòng (adj): Soft-hearted; easily moved to pity or compassion (different connotation from ).
Synonyms
- Feeble
- Spineless
- Flimsy
- Ineffectual
- Lacking resolve
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Thái độ mềm yếu: A weak/soft attitude.
- Thái độ mềm yếu của nhà đàm phán đã dẫn đến thỏa thuận bất lợi. (The negotiator's weak attitude led to an unfavorable agreement.)