弱気

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The written form is 弱気, read よわき. Elements for weakness and spirit combine to denote becoming timid, discouraged, or lacking confidence.
• Basic usage: 弱気になる describes losing confidence after failure, while 弱気な発言 modifies a timid statement prompted by the other side’s momentum.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Confidence not lost over one failure
  • The advice warns against losing confidence because of only one failure. Example: 一度失敗したくらいで弱気になってはいけません。 — Do not lose confidence over a single failure.
• A timid statement under pressure
  • The other side’s momentum prompts a suddenly timid statement. Example: 相手の勢いを見て、彼は急に弱気な発言をしました。 — Seeing the other side's momentum, he suddenly spoke timidly.