It describes a person who is habitually prone to illness or physically frail.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes a person who is physically frail or prone to illness.
- Used to characterize someone's constitutional health status.
- Often found in literary descriptions of delicate characters.
Overview
「病弱な」は、身体的な抵抗力が低く、頻繁に病気になったり、疲れやすかったりする状態を指します。単に一時的な風邪を引いている状態ではなく、体質的に体が弱いというニュアンスが強い言葉です。2) Usage Patterns: この言葉は「病弱な子供」「病弱な体」のように、名詞を修飾する形で使われるのが一般的です。また、「彼は病弱だ」のように述語としても使用されます。3) Common Contexts: 文学作品や物語の中で、繊細で守ってあげたくなるようなキャラクターの描写に使われることが多いです。また、健康診断の結果や個人の身体的特徴を説明する際にも客観的に使われます。4) Similar Words comparison: 「虚弱な」はより医学的・生物学的なニュアンスが強く、体力が極端にないことを指します。「ひ弱な」は、身体だけでなく精神的な頼りなさや、力不足というネガティブな印象が強まる言葉です。「病弱な」はそれらに比べると、病気という具体的な要因に焦点が当たっています。
Examples
彼女は病弱な体質で、冬になるとよく風邪を引く。
everydayShe has a sickly constitution and often catches colds in winter.
病弱なため、激しい運動は控えるように医師から言われた。
formalDue to my frail health, the doctor told me to refrain from strenuous exercise.
昔の小説には、病弱なヒロインがよく登場する。
informalSickly heroines often appear in old novels.
その地域には病弱な子供たちに対する支援制度が整っている。
academicThat region has a well-established support system for sickly children.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
病弱な体をおして
despite being sickly
病弱な性質
sickly nature
Often Confused With
Focuses on physical weakness and lack of stamina rather than the frequency of illness.
Implies a lack of vigor or spirit, often used to describe someone who seems incapable of handling pressure.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term is formal and carries a serious weight. It is not typically used for temporary colds or flu. It is best reserved for describing chronic health conditions or literary character archetypes.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it for temporary illnesses. Remember that it describes a long-term state. Do not use it as a casual synonym for 'tired'.
Tips
Use for chronic health conditions
Use this word when discussing long-term health issues rather than temporary illness. It implies a persistent state of being.
Avoid using it casually
This word can sound quite serious or even melancholic. Avoid using it in lighthearted situations or casual small talk.
Literary association in Japan
In Japanese literature, 'byojaku' characters are often portrayed as intelligent and sensitive. It carries a specific aesthetic of fragility.
Word Origin
Derived from the kanji '病' (illness) and '弱' (weak). It literally translates to 'illness-weak'.
Cultural Context
In Japan, the image of a sickly person is often associated with the 'Meiji' era literature, where it symbolized a refined, intellectual, but physically fragile existence.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Byo' (sickness) + 'Jaku' (weak). A person who is sick and weak.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「病弱な」は病気になりやすいという側面に焦点がありますが、「虚弱な」は体そのものが丈夫ではなく、力が弱いという身体的特徴に焦点を当てています。
はい、言えます。自分の体質を説明する際に使われますが、少し重い響きがあるため、ビジネスシーンなどでは「体が弱いです」と言う方が一般的です。
いいえ、基本的には身体的な欠点や懸念を示す言葉なので、褒め言葉ではありません。ただし、物語の文脈では「儚げな美しさ」といった情緒的な意味で使われることがあります。
「頑健な」や「健康な」が反対語にあたります。体が丈夫で病気をしにくい状態を指します。
Test Yourself
彼は幼い頃から___で、よく学校を休んでいた。
学校を休むという文脈から、体が弱いことを示す「病弱な」が適切です。
Score: /1
Summary
It describes a person who is habitually prone to illness or physically frail.
- Describes a person who is physically frail or prone to illness.
- Used to characterize someone's constitutional health status.
- Often found in literary descriptions of delicate characters.
Use for chronic health conditions
Use this word when discussing long-term health issues rather than temporary illness. It implies a persistent state of being.
Avoid using it casually
This word can sound quite serious or even melancholic. Avoid using it in lighthearted situations or casual small talk.
Literary association in Japan
In Japanese literature, 'byojaku' characters are often portrayed as intelligent and sensitive. It carries a specific aesthetic of fragility.
Examples
4 of 4彼女は病弱な体質で、冬になるとよく風邪を引く。
She has a sickly constitution and often catches colds in winter.
病弱なため、激しい運動は控えるように医師から言われた。
Due to my frail health, the doctor told me to refrain from strenuous exercise.
昔の小説には、病弱なヒロインがよく登場する。
Sickly heroines often appear in old novels.
その地域には病弱な子供たちに対する支援制度が整っている。
That region has a well-established support system for sickly children.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
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異変がある
B1To have an unusual change or abnormality.
異常な
B1Abnormal; unusual; irregular.
擦り傷
B1Scratch, graze, abrasion.
吸収する
B1To absorb.
禁酒
B1Abstinence from alcohol; the act of refraining from alcohol.
痛む
A2to hurt; to ache
鍼灸
B1Acupuncture and moxibustion; traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
急性的
B1Acute.
急性な
B1Acute
急性の
B1Acute; sudden and severe.
