weak

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 弱 has 10 strokes and the on-reading じゃく. 弱い (よわい) means weak; other kun-readings include よわる, よわまる, and よわめる.
• Basic usage: 弱い describes weakness, while 弱点 (じゃくてん) identifies a weak point in a person or object.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Being weak and having a specific weak point
  • 風に弱い means unable to withstand wind well. 辛い食べ物に弱く describes difficulty handling spicy food.
  • 自分の弱点を克服したい means wanting to overcome one's weak points. このかばんの弱点 identifies the specific drawback that the bag gets wet easily in rain.