Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Small and weak: Describes a person, animal, or thing that is both physically diminutive in size and lacking in strength, robustness, or vigor. It often implies vulnerability or fragility.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cậu bé trông nhỏ yếu so với các bạn cùng lớp. (The boy looks small and weak compared to his classmates.)
  • Cây non này còn nhỏ yếu, cần được bảo vệ khỏi gió mạnh. (This sapling is still small and weak; it needs protection from strong winds.)
  • Tiếng nói của cô ấy nghe nhỏ yếu và run rẩy. (Her voice sounded small and weak and trembling.)

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe abstract entities like an economy, organization, or voice that is underdeveloped and lacking in power or influence.
  • Nền kinh tế nhỏ yếu của quốc đảo dễ bị tổn thương. (The small and weak economy of the island nation is vulnerable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Yếu ớt (adj): feeble, frail, weak. This word emphasizes weakness more than physical smallness.
  • Ngọn lửa yếu ớt. (A feeble flame.)
• Nhỏ bé (adj): small, tiny. This word emphasizes small size without the inherent connotation of weakness.
  • Ngôi nhà nhỏ bé. (A tiny house.)

Synonyms

• Puny: small and weak.
• Frail: weak and delicate.
• Feeble: lacking physical strength, especially due to age or illness.

Related Idioms

• While "nhỏ yếu" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is conceptually related to expressions describing vulnerability.
• Non nớt: young and tender, inexperienced and vulnerable.
  • Đứa trẻ còn non nớt. (The child is still young and tender.)

1. Small and weak