yếu mềm
Definition
- Adjective:
- Weak and soft / Feeble and yielding: Describes a person's character, will, or spirit as lacking strength, firmness, or resilience; easily giving in to pressure, influence, or emotions.
- Physically weak and limp: Can describe a physical state of being frail and lacking muscular tone or vigor.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (Character):
- Anh ta có tính cách yếu mềm, dễ bị người khác thao túng. (He has a weak and soft character, easily manipulated by others.)
- Đừng yếu mềm trước những khó khăn. (Don't be feeble and yielding in the face of difficulties.)
- Adjective (Physical):
- Sau cơn bệnh, cơ thể cô ấy trở nên yếu mềm. (After the illness, her body became weak and limp.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used in literary, psychological, or moral contexts to critique a lack of fortitude or resolve.
- Can imply a negative judgment, suggesting a flaw in character rather than a neutral physical description.
Variants and Related Words
- Yếu đuối (adj): Weak, feeble. Often used interchangeably with for character, but can also refer to physical weakness.
- Cô ấy cảm thấy yếu đuối sau tin buồn. (She felt weak after the sad news.)
- Nhu nhược (adj): Weak-willed, spineless. Stronger negative connotation than .
- Một nhà lãnh đạo nhu nhược. (A weak-willed leader.)
Synonyms
- Feeble: Lacking physical or mental strength.
- Weak-willed: Lacking determination or the ability to resist influence.
- Spineless: Lacking courage or strength of character (stronger, more critical).
- Limp: Lacking stiffness or firmness (for physical state).
Related Idioms
- Lòng yếu mềm: A moment or state of weakness (of the heart/spirit).
- Trong lúc yếu mềm, cô ấy đã gọi cho anh ta. (In a moment of weakness, she called him.)