Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Weak, feeble (in physical constitution): Describes a state of lacking physical strength or robustness, often implying fragility or delicacy.
   • Weak, feeble (in character or spirit): Describes a lack of mental fortitude, emotional resilience, or moral strength; easily yielding to pressure, temptation, or difficulty.

Usage Examples

• Describing physical weakness:

  • Sau trận ốm, cô ấy trông rất yếu đuối. (After the illness, she looks very weak.)
  • Đứa trẻ sinh non thường yếu đuối hơn. (Premature babies are often more feeble.)

• Describing weakness of character or spirit:

  • Anh ta đã có một khoảnh khắc yếu đuối và đồng ý. (He had a moment of weakness and agreed.)
  • Đừng để tình cảm yếu đuối chi phối quyết định của bạn. (Don't let feeble emotions dictate your decision.)

Advanced Usage

• "chỗ yếu đuối": a point of weakness, a vulnerable spot.

  • Lòng tham là chỗ yếu đuối lớn nhất của hắn. (Greed is his greatest point of weakness.)

• "bộc lộ sự yếu đuối": to reveal/show weakness.

  • Cô ấy không bao giờ bộc lộ sự yếu đuối trước mặt đối thủ. (She never shows weakness in front of her opponent.)

Variants and Related Words

• Yếu ớt (adj): Weak, frail, feeble. Often used interchangeably with "yếu đuối," but can sometimes emphasize a more pitiable or diminished state.

  • Giọng nói yếu ớt (a feeble voice)

• Nhu nhược (adj): Weak-willed, spineless. Stronger and more negative than "yếu đuối," implying a culpable lack of courage or backbone.

• Yếu (adj): Weak. The root word, broader and more general than "yếu đuối."

Synonyms

• Weak: Yếu. The most direct and general synonym.
• Feeble: Yếu ớt, suy nhược. Often implies lamentable weakness.
• Frail: Mỏng manh, dễ vỡ. Often connotes fragility.
• Powerless: Bất lực, không có sức mạnh.

Antonyms

• Mạnh mẽ (adj): Strong, vigorous (both physically and mentally).
• Cứng cỏi (adj): Tough, resilient (often regarding character).
• Kiên cường (adj): Steadfast, indomitable.

Related Idioms and Expressions

• "Mềm nắn rắn buông" / "Cứng quá thì gãy": These proverbs about flexibility vs. brittleness relate to the concept that excessive rigidity (a lack of the softness associated with "yếu đuối") can be a downfall. They explore the spectrum between strength and weakness.
• "Lấy nhu thắng cương": Using softness to overcome hardness. This philosophical idea contrasts with mere "yếu đuối" by presenting softness as a strategic strength.

adj

1. weak, feeble