When you're just starting to learn Chinese, understanding how to describe things is really useful. The word 薄弱 (bó ruò) is a great one to add to your vocabulary. It means something is weak, fragile, or flimsy.
Imagine a very thin piece of paper – that could be described as 薄弱. Or, if someone's argument isn't very strong, you can also say their argument is 薄弱. It's a practical word for talking about things that lack strength, whether it's physical or even an idea.
When we say something is 薄弱, we're talking about a fundamental lack of strength or robustness. It often describes things like foundations, arguments, or even a person's willpower. Think of it as being inherently insubstantial, easily broken, or not well-supported. It’s a bit stronger than just being 'weak'; it implies a deficiency that makes something prone to failure or collapse.
§ 薄弱 (bóruò) vs. 弱 (ruò)
Both 薄弱 (bóruò) and 弱 (ruò) mean 'weak'. However, 薄弱 (bóruò) is generally used for abstract things like foundations, willpower, or arguments, while 弱 (ruò) can be used for both concrete and abstract things. Think of 薄弱 (bóruò) as implying something that was perhaps strong but has become weak, or was never very strong to begin with and is easily broken or overcome. 弱 (ruò) is a more general term for weakness.
他的意志很薄弱，很容易放弃。(Tā de yìzhì hěn bóruò, hěn róngyì fàngqì.) - His willpower is very weak, he gives up easily.
这个孩子身体很弱。(Zhège háizi shēntǐ hěn ruò.) - This child's body is very weak.
§ 薄弱 (bóruò) vs. 脆弱 (cuìruò)
脆弱 (cuìruò) means 'fragile' or 'vulnerable'. While it shares some overlap with 薄弱 (bóruò), 脆弱 (cuìruò) emphasizes the ease with which something can be broken or harmed, often implying a delicate nature. 薄弱 (bóruò) focuses more on the inherent lack of strength or solidity. Think of a fragile vase (脆弱) versus a weak argument (薄弱).
这个证据非常薄弱，不能作为定罪的依据。(Zhège zhèngjù fēicháng bóruò, bù néng zuòwéi dìngzuì de yījù.) - This evidence is very weak, it cannot be used as a basis for conviction.
她的心很脆弱，经不起打击。(Tā de xīn hěn cuìruò, jīng bù qǐ dǎjī.) - Her heart is very fragile/vulnerable, it can't withstand blows.
§ 薄弱 (bóruò) vs. 单薄 (dānbó)
单薄 (dānbó) means 'thin' or 'frail', often referring to physical objects or a person's build. It implies a lack of substance or thickness. While a 薄弱 (bóruò) argument might be insubstantial, you wouldn't describe it as 单薄 (dānbó). 单薄 (dānbó) has a more literal sense of 'thinness' or 'flimsiness'.
冬天穿这么单薄的衣服会感冒的。(Dōngtiān chuān zhème dānbó de yīfu huì gǎnmào de.) - Wearing such thin clothes in winter will make you catch a cold.
这个论点非常薄弱。(Zhège lùndiǎn fēicháng bóruò.) - This argument is very weak.
§ Summary: When to use 薄弱 (bóruò)
Use 薄弱 (bóruò) when you want to describe an abstract quality or foundation as lacking strength, being easily overcome, or not well-supported. It's often used for things like:
- 意志薄弱 (yìzhì bóruò) - weak willpower
- 基础薄弱 (jīchǔ bóruò) - weak foundation
- 论点薄弱 (lùndiǎn bóruò) - weak argument
- 防御薄弱 (fángyù bóruò) - weak defense
- 意识薄弱 (yìshí bóruò) - weak awareness (e.g., safety awareness)
It emphasizes an inherent lack of robustness rather than just general weakness (弱), physical fragility (脆弱), or physical thinness (单薄).
Wichtige Grammatik
Use 薄弱 to describe abstract concepts or abilities that are weak or deficient. It often implies a lack of strength, foundation, or development.
他们的防守很薄弱。 (Their defense is very weak.)
It can be used to describe physical structures or objects that are flimsy or easily broken, though this usage is less common than for abstract concepts.
这座桥结构很薄弱。 (The structure of this bridge is very flimsy.)
薄弱 is typically followed by a noun or a noun phrase that it modifies.
他的论据薄弱，无法说服我。 (His arguments are weak and cannot convince me.)
It can be used with adverbs of degree like 很 (hěn - very), 相当 (xiāngdāng - quite), or 过于 (guòyú - excessively) to indicate the extent of weakness.
她对数学的理解过于薄弱。 (Her understanding of mathematics is excessively weak.)
Avoid using 薄弱 to describe a person's physical weakness or illness. In such cases, words like 虚弱 (xūruò - weak, frail) or 生病 (shēngbìng - sick) would be more appropriate.
错误的用法: 他身体薄弱。 (Incorrect: His body is weak.) 正确的用法: 他身体虚弱。 (Correct: He is physically weak.)
Beispiele nach Niveau
他对数学的基础知识很薄弱。
His basic knowledge of math is very weak.
这家公司的管理制度很薄弱。
This company's management system is very weak.
他的身体素质比较薄弱，需要多锻炼。
His physical quality is relatively weak; he needs more exercise.
这个团队的凝聚力很薄弱。
This team's cohesion is very weak.
他们的防御力量很薄弱。
Their defensive power is very weak.
这个论点证据薄弱。
This argument has weak evidence.
这座桥的结构看起来很薄弱。
The structure of this bridge looks very flimsy.
他意志薄弱，容易放弃。
He is weak-willed and gives up easily.
他们的防守很薄弱。
Their defense is very weak.
很 (hěn) is an intensifier meaning 'very'.
他对数学的基础知识很薄弱。
His basic knowledge of mathematics is very weak.
对...很薄弱 (duì... hěn bóruò) means 'to be very weak in something'.
这个桥结构薄弱，不能承重太多。
This bridge structure is weak and cannot bear too much weight.
不能 (bùnéng) means 'cannot'.
她身体薄弱，经常生病。
Her body is frail, and she often gets sick.
经常 (jīngcháng) means 'often'.
这个论点非常薄弱，没有说服力。
This argument is very weak and not convincing.
没有说服力 (méiyǒu shuōfúlì) means 'not convincing'.
公司在市场上的竞争力很薄弱。
The company's competitiveness in the market is very weak.
竞争力 (jìngzhēnglì) means 'competitiveness'.
他意志薄弱，容易放弃。
He has a weak will and gives up easily.
容易放弃 (róngyì fàngqì) means 'gives up easily'.
由于证据薄弱，他被无罪释放了。
Due to weak evidence, he was released without charge.
由于 (yóuyú) means 'due to'.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
他的基础很薄弱，需要多加练习。
His foundation is very weak (his; foundation; very; weak), he needs to practice more (needs; more; add; practice).
意志薄弱的人容易放弃。
Weak-willed people (will; weak; de; person) give up easily (easy; give up).
这个环节是整个项目的薄弱点。
This link (this; individual; link) is the weak point (is; whole; project's; weak; point) of the whole project.
他们的防线显得有些薄弱。
Their defense line (their; defense; line) seems a bit weak (seems; some; weak).
因为力量薄弱，我们没能赢得比赛。
Because of weak strength (because; strength; weak), we couldn't win the game (we; not; could; win; match).
他体质薄弱，经常生病。
He has a fragile physique (he; physique; weak), often gets sick (often; get sick).
这个论据太薄弱了，不足以说服我。
This argument (this; individual; argument) is too flimsy (too; weak; le), not enough to convince me (not; enough; to say; persuade; me).
公司在管理方面存在薄弱环节。
The company (company) has weak links (exist; weak; link; aspect) in management.
这个国家的经济基础还很薄弱。
This country's (this; individual; country's) economic foundation (economy; foundation) is still very weak (still; very; weak).
安全意识薄弱导致了事故发生。
Weak safety awareness (safety; awareness; weak) led to accidents (cause; le; accident; happen).
Grammatikmuster
Satzmuster
subject + 很 + 薄弱
他的意志很薄弱。(Tā de yìzhì hěn báoruò.) - His willpower is very weak.
subject + 的 + noun + 很 + 薄弱
他们的基础很薄弱。(Tāmen de jīchǔ hěn báoruò.) - Their foundation is very weak.
subject + 看起来 + 薄弱
这个论点看起来薄弱。(Zhège lùndiǎn kàn qǐlái báoruò.) - This argument looks flimsy.
使 + subject + 显得 + 薄弱
缺乏证据使他的说法显得薄弱。(Quēfá zhèngjù shǐ tā de shuōfǎ xiǎnde báoruò.) - Lack of evidence makes his statement appear weak.
在…方面 + 薄弱
他在数学方面比较薄弱。(Tā zài shùxué fāngmiàn bǐjiào báoruò.) - He is relatively weak in mathematics.
因为 + cause + 所以 + result (with 薄弱)
因为资金薄弱，所以项目无法继续。(Yīnwèi zījīn báoruò, suǒyǐ xiàngmù wúfǎ jìxù.) - Because of weak funding, the project cannot continue.
薄弱的 + noun
我们需要加强薄弱环节。(Wǒmen xūyào jiāqiáng báoruò huánjié.) - We need to strengthen weak links/areas.
尽管…但… (with 薄弱)
尽管理论基础薄弱，但实践效果很好。(Jǐnguǎn lǐlùn jīchǔ báoruò, dàn shíjiàn xiàoguǒ hěn hǎo.) - Although the theoretical foundation is weak, the practical effect is very good.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
So verwendest du es
薄弱 (bó ruò) describes something that is weak in foundation, ability, or condition. It often implies a lack of strength or robustness. You can use it to describe a weak argument, a fragile relationship, or a flimsy defense. It's often used for abstract concepts or things that are not physically strong.
A common mistake is using 薄弱 for physical weakness in people or objects that would typically break. For example, you wouldn't say someone's body is 薄弱 if they're just tired; you'd use something like 虚弱 (xū ruò). Similarly, you wouldn't say a glass is 薄弱 if it breaks easily; you'd use something like 脆弱 (cuì ruò). Thin or flimsy physical objects might be 薄 (báo), but 薄弱 adds the nuance of fundamental weakness.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a **bò ruò** (thin and weak) sheet of paper that **bo**ws and **ruo**ckles easily in the wind. It's so weak, it could tear with just a gentle breath.
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture a very thin, delicate bridge made of twigs and leaves, barely holding together. It's so '薄弱' (bóruò) that you're afraid to even step on it, visualizing its flimsiness and weakness.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Describe a scenario where something is '薄弱' (bóruò). For instance, '他的论点薄弱，很容易被反驳.' (Tā de lùndiǎn bóruò, hěn róngyì bèi fǎnbó. - His argument is weak and easily refuted.) Then, try to use it in your own sentence. You could talk about a weak point in a plan, a fragile object, or someone's weak willpower.
Teste dich selbst 36 Fragen
Think about 'team strength' and 'difficult to complete this project'.
Consider 'economy' and 'foundation'.
Focus on 'his argument' and 'not enough to convince me'.
Read this aloud:
这个桥梁结构薄弱，不能承载重物。
Focus: bó ruò
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Read this aloud:
他对这个问题的理解很薄弱。
Focus: lǐ jiě hěn bó ruò
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Read this aloud:
由于缺乏经验，他的技术还很薄弱。
Focus: quē fá jīng yàn, jì shù hái hěn bó ruò
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他的意志很___，遇到一点困难就想放弃。
The sentence talks about someone giving up easily when facing difficulties, implying a weak will. '薄弱' means weak or fragile.
这座老房子的结构非常___，需要加固。
The sentence states the old house's structure needs reinforcement, indicating it is weak. '薄弱' fits this context.
他对历史知识的掌握很___，很多基本概念都不清楚。
The sentence mentions not being clear about basic concepts, suggesting a weak grasp of historical knowledge. '薄弱' is appropriate here.
这个团队的凝聚力很___，经常出现内部矛盾。
The sentence describes internal conflicts, implying a weak team cohesion. '薄弱' means weak or flimsy.
尽管有初步进展，但这项技术的基础依然___。
The sentence indicates that despite initial progress, the foundation of the technology is still weak. '薄弱' means weak or fragile.
由于防御工事___，敌军很容易就攻破了城墙。
The sentence states that the enemy easily broke through the city wall, implying weak fortifications. '薄弱' is the correct choice.
This sentence means 'His argument is very weak.' The possessive '的' connects '他' (he/his) and '论点' (argument). '很' (very) is an adverb modifying '薄弱' (weak).
This sentence means 'The foundation of this plan is very weak, it might fail.' '这个' (this) modifies '计划' (plan). '的' connects '计划' and '基础' (foundation). '非常' (extremely) strengthens '薄弱'. '可能' (perhaps/might) indicates probability.
This sentence means 'We need to strengthen the weak links.' '加强' (to strengthen) is the verb. '薄弱的环节' (weak links) is the object, with '薄弱' (weak) describing '环节' (link).
这家公司的市场竞争力非常___，需要尽快改进。
The sentence describes a company's market competitiveness as needing improvement, indicating it is weak. '薄弱' means weak or fragile.
由于基础知识___，他在高级课程中遇到了很多困难。
The context implies that a lack of foundational knowledge led to difficulties in advanced courses. '薄弱' describes something as being weak or insufficient.
这个团队的凝聚力显得有些___，影响了整体表现。
The sentence suggests that the team's cohesion is not strong, which negatively impacts performance. '薄弱' fits this meaning of weak or fragile.
国家边境的防守如果___，很容易遭受外敌入侵。
A weak defense makes a border vulnerable to invasion. '薄弱' means weak or flimsy, fitting the context of defense.
尽管有了新的法规，但在执行层面依然存在___环节。
The sentence indicates that despite new regulations, there are still weak points in their implementation. '薄弱' refers to a weak or vulnerable link.
她的心理承受能力比较___，经不起太大的打击。
The context describes someone who cannot withstand significant setbacks, implying their psychological resilience is weak. '薄弱' accurately conveys this meaning.
Choose the sentence where “薄弱” is used correctly:
“薄弱” can describe physical weakness, lack of robustness in plans, or fragility in relationships. All options use it appropriately.
Which of the following words is NOT a suitable synonym for “薄弱” in most contexts?
“强壮” means strong or robust, which is the opposite of “薄弱”. The other options are synonyms.
Consider the sentence: “这个国家的经济基础非常薄弱。” What does this imply about the country's economic foundation?
“薄弱” means weak, fragile, or flimsy. Therefore, a “薄弱” economic foundation implies it is not strong and is susceptible to external influences.
You can use “薄弱” to describe someone's weak willpower.
Yes, “薄弱” can be used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts like willpower (意志力薄弱).
If a fence is “薄弱”, it means it is very sturdy and difficult to break.
No, if a fence is “薄弱”, it means it is flimsy and easy to break or damage.
The phrase “基础薄弱” (jīchǔ bóruò) means having a strong foundation.
No, “基础薄弱” means having a weak or fragile foundation. “基础” means foundation, and “薄弱” means weak.
The speaker is talking about a defense system.
The speaker is discussing a project's foundation.
The speaker is describing someone's inner state.
Read this aloud:
请你用“薄弱”这个词造一个句子，描述一个团队的弱点。
Focus: bó ruò
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Read this aloud:
你认为什么样的论点是“薄弱”的？请举例说明。
Focus: lùn diǎn bó ruò
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Read this aloud:
如果一个国家的经济基础很薄弱，可能会面临哪些问题？
Focus: jīng jì jī chǔ bó ruò
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