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B1 verb 10 min read

弱る

Q: Can I use 弱る for people I don't know well?

Yes, but be careful. Describing someone as yowatte iru implies they look frail or sick. If you want to be more polite about an elderly person, you might use o-karada ga yowatte irassharu , but generally, it's better to use more indirect terms in formal settings.

Q: Is 'yowatta' the same as 'komatta'?

They are very similar. Komatta is the standard 'I'm in trouble.' Yowatta is slightly more colloquial and suggests you are feeling 'weakened' or 'defeated' by the problem. You might use yowatta when you sigh and don't know the next step.

Q: Can I use 弱る for a computer?

Usually, we use it for the battery ( battery ga yowaru ). For the computer performance itself, we usually say omoku naru (gets heavy/slow) or dousa ga nibuku naru (movement gets dull).

Q: How do I say 'to weaken the light'?

You should use the transitive verb yowameru . For example: 'Hikari o yowameru' (I weaken the light).

Q: What is the opposite of 弱る?

The most direct opposite for physical state is kaifuku suru (to recover). For intensity, it is tsuyomaru (to become stronger).

Q: Can I use 弱る for a person's character?

No, for character, use the adjective yowai . Yowaru is for a change in state. If a strong person becomes timid due to stress, you could say ki ga yowatta .

yowaru

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 弱る in 30 Seconds

Explanation 弱る in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of 弱る (yowaru) as a word for 'getting sick' or 'getting tired.' Imagine a plant that hasn't had water for many days. It looks sad and its leaves are falling. You can say the plant is yowatte iru. You might also use it for a battery. If your toy car is moving very slowly, you can say the battery is yowai or yowatte iru. It is a simple way to describe something that is losing its power. You don't need to worry about the 'troubled' meaning yet. Just focus on physical things losing energy. For example, if you have a cold and you feel very sleepy and have no energy to play, you are yowatte iru. It is like the opposite of being 'strong' (genki). In A1, we use simple sentences like 'Hana ga yowaru' (The flower weakens) or 'Karada ga yowaru' (The body weakens). It's a very useful word to tell someone that something is not healthy or not working at full power. Always remember that it describes a change, like going from 100% energy down to 20% energy.

At the A2 level, you can start using 弱る (yowaru) to describe more specific situations, like a phone battery dying or a person getting old. You will often see it in the form 弱ってきました (yowatte kimashita), which means 'has started to weaken.' This is very common when talking about grandparents or pets. For example, 'My dog is old, so his legs are weakening' (Inu ga toshi o totte, ashi ga yowatte kimashita). You can also use it for lights. If a flashlight is getting dim, the light is yowatte iru. Another important point for A2 is the difference between yowai (weak - adjective) and yowaru (to weaken - verb). Use yowaru when you want to talk about the process of losing strength. If you say 'Kaze o hiite, karada ga yowatta,' it means 'I caught a cold and my body became weak.' This shows a cause and an effect. You can also start to recognize the phrase 'Yowatta naa' in cartoons or stories, which means 'Oh, I'm in trouble,' but don't worry about using it yourself too much yet. Just focus on the physical weakening of things and people.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 弱る (yowaru) for both physical decline and for expressing that you are 'at a loss' or 'troubled.' This 'troubled' meaning is very common in B1 level listening and reading. When you encounter a problem that is difficult to solve, like losing your wallet or missing the last train, you can say 「弱ったなあ」(Yowatta naa). This implies that the situation has mentally drained you or that you don't know what to do. You should also understand the intransitive nature of the verb. You cannot say 'He weakened the enemy' using yowaru; you must use yowameru. At B1, you can apply yowaru to more abstract things like 'the economy' (keizai) or 'willpower' (ishi). For example, 'After failing the exam three times, my willpower weakened' (Sankai shiken ni ochite, ishi ga yowatta). You should also be able to use the ~te iru form to describe a current state of frailty. If you see an old building that looks like it might fall down, you could say its structure is yowatte iru. This level is about expanding the word from just 'sick' to 'declining' or 'troubled' in various contexts.

At the B2 level, 弱る (yowaru) becomes a tool for nuanced description in business, social issues, and literature. You should be able to distinguish it from more formal synonyms like 衰える (otoroeru) or 低下する (teika suru). While otoroeru is used for the decline of a civilization or a person's eyesight over decades, yowaru is often used for more immediate or visible weakening, like a company's financial position during a bad quarter. You will hear it in news reports about the 'weakening of the yen' (en ga yowaru - though yasu-ku naru is more common, yowaru can describe the currency's overall strength) or the 'weakening of community ties' (chiiki no tsunagari ga yowaru). In B2, you should also understand the idiomatic use in phrases like 「弱り目に祟り目」(Yowarime ni tatarime), which is the Japanese equivalent of 'misfortune never comes alone' or 'to make matters worse.' This shows how the concept of 'weakness' is used to describe a state of vulnerability where even more bad things happen. You should be able to use yowaru to describe a loss of momentum in a project or a fading interest in a hobby. It's about capturing the 'softening' or 'fading' of strength in any system.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the poetic and psychological depth of 弱る (yowaru). It is often used in literature to describe the 'weakening of the heart' (kokoro ga yowaru) not just as sadness, but as a profound loss of spiritual resilience. You might encounter it in essays discussing the yowari (weakness/decline) of traditional crafts or cultural practices in the face of modernization. In this context, it suggests a loss of essential vitality that is difficult to recover. You should also be able to use it in sophisticated social commentary. For example, describing how the 'functions of the family are weakening' (kazoku no kinou ga yowatte iru) in urban environments. Furthermore, at this level, you should master the 'troubled' nuance in various registers. While 'Yowatta naa' is casual, a more formal way might be 'Kore ni wa yowarimashita' (I was quite troubled by this), used when recounting a difficult experience to a superior. You should also be aware of how yowaru interacts with other verbs to create complex meanings, such as yowari-hateru (to be completely exhausted or at one's wit's end). C1 is about using the word to describe the subtle erosion of strength, whether it be physical, emotional, or institutional.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 弱る (yowaru) involves understanding its most subtle connotations and its place within the broader spectrum of Japanese verbs of decline. You can use it to describe the 'weakening of an argument' in a high-level debate or the 'fading of a philosophical movement.' You should be able to identify its use in archaic or classical-style modern Japanese where it might describe the 'waning of the moon' or the 'ebbing of a tide' in a metaphorical sense. A C2 learner understands that yowaru can imply a certain 'pathos' (mono no aware)—the natural, inevitable decline of all things. You might use it to describe the 'weakening of a scent' as a perfume evaporates or the 'softening of a sound' as it echoes into the distance. In professional settings, you might use it to describe a 'weakening market sentiment' with precision. You also understand the psychological weight of the word in counseling or deep interpersonal dialogue, where yowatte iru describes a state of profound vulnerability that requires extreme empathy. At this level, the word is no longer just a verb; it is a brushstroke used to paint the delicate process of something losing its grip on strength, existence, or certainty.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

弱る in 30 Seconds

A verb meaning 'to weaken' physically, mentally, or mechanically.
Commonly used to describe the aging process or the progression of an illness.
In the past tense (yowatta), it colloquially means 'to be in a fix' or 'troubled.'
It is an intransitive verb, meaning the subject itself is undergoing the change.

The Japanese verb 弱る (yowaru) is a fundamental word that every intermediate learner must master because it captures a specific transition: the process of losing strength, vitality, or composure. Unlike the adjective yowai, which describes a state of being weak, yowaru is a dynamic verb that describes the act of becoming weak over time or due to a specific cause. It is most frequently used to describe physical health, the state of mechanical objects like batteries, or a person's psychological state when they are overwhelmed by a problem.

Physical Decline: When a person gets older and their legs lose their strength, or when a plant begins to wither because it hasn't been watered, Japanese speakers use yowaru. It suggests a gradual fading of energy that was once there.
Mechanical and Natural Forces: This verb is perfectly suited for describing a flashlight whose batteries are dying or a fire that is slowly burning out. In nature, it can describe the weakening of a storm or the fading light of the sun as evening approaches.
The 'Troubled' Nuance: In daily conversation, you will often hear the past tense form yowatta. In this context, it doesn't mean the person has physically weakened, but rather that they are 'in a fix' or 'at a loss.' It is a synonym for komatta (I'm in trouble), but with a slight nuance of feeling mentally drained by the situation.

最近、祖父の足腰が急に弱ってきたので心配です。
(Saikin, sofu no ashikoshi ga kyuu ni yowatte kita node shinpai desu.)
I am worried because my grandfather's legs have suddenly become weak recently.

In a medical context, doctors use this word to describe the weakening of internal organs. For instance, 'the heart is weakening' (shinzou ga yowaru) or 'the stomach is weak' (i ga yowaru). It is a polite yet direct way to discuss health issues. Furthermore, in the world of sports, a commentator might say a team's defense is 'weakening' as the match progresses into the final minutes. This implies that the pressure has taken its toll and their effectiveness is diminishing.

雨が降ってきて、火がだんだん弱っていきました。
(Ame ga futte kite, hi ga dandan yowatte ikimashita.)
It started raining, and the fire gradually weakened.

Another fascinating usage is related to social standing or influence. If a powerful politician loses support or a large company faces financial trouble, their 'power' or 'influence' (seiryoku) might be described as yowaru. This suggests that their foundation is crumbling and they can no longer exert the same control as before. It is a very versatile verb that covers physical, mechanical, emotional, and social spheres of life, making it essential for nuanced communication in Japanese.

Using 弱る (yowaru) correctly requires an understanding of its grammar as an intransitive verb. This means that the subject is the thing that is weakening, and you do not 'weaken' something else using this word (for that, you would use yowameru). The particle used with the subject is almost always が (ga) or は (wa).

The ~te kuru Pattern: Since weakening is usually a process, it is very common to see yowaru combined with the auxiliary verb kuru (to come to be). 弱ってくる (yowatte kuru) means 'to start getting weak' or 'to begin to weaken.' This is used for aging, batteries dying, or illness progressing.
The ~te iru Pattern: 弱っている (yowatte iru) describes a continuous state of weakness. If you see a stray cat that looks sickly and tired, you would say it is yowatte iru. It describes the result of the weakening process that is visible right now.

長引く不況で、中小企業の経営が弱っています。
(Nagabiku fukyou de, chuushou kigyou no keiei ga yowatte imasu.)
Due to the prolonged recession, the management of small and medium-sized enterprises is weakening.

When using yowaru to mean 'troubled,' it is almost exclusively used in the past tense: 弱った (yowatta). This functions similarly to 'Oh no' or 'I'm stuck.' For example, if you realize you've left your keys inside your locked house, you might mutter to yourself, 'Yowatta naa...' (I'm in a real fix now). It expresses a sense of being mentally defeated by the circumstances. This usage is very common in informal speech and literature to show a character's internal frustration.

「それは弱った。どうすればいいんだろう。」
("Sore wa yowatta. Dou sureba ii n darou.")
"That's a problem. I wonder what I should do."

In more formal or written Japanese, yowaru can be used to describe the decline of abstract concepts like 'public order' (chian) or 'traditional values.' When a society feels like it is losing its moral compass, writers might use yowaru to describe the 'weakening of the spirit' (kokoro ga yowaru). This demonstrates that the word is not just for physical muscles but for the very essence of things. Whether you are talking about a dying plant, a sick friend, a failing business, or a confusing problem, yowaru provides a vivid way to describe the loss of strength.

The verb 弱る (yowaru) is ubiquitous in Japanese life, appearing in settings ranging from clinical medical environments to casual late-night conversations. Understanding the context helps you choose the right nuance. In Japan's aging society, you will frequently hear this word in the context of elderly care. Families might discuss how their parents are 'yowatte kita' (starting to get frail), which is a more sensitive and descriptive way than simply saying they are 'old.'

In the Hospital: Nurses and doctors use yowaru to describe a patient's declining vitals. You might hear 'Karada ga yowatte iru node, ansei ni shite kudasai' (The body is weakened, so please rest). It conveys a state of vulnerability that requires care.
In Tech and Gadgets: Smartphone users in Japan often complain about their 'battery weakening' (battery ga yowaru). This doesn't mean the battery is physically soft, but that its capacity to hold a charge has diminished over years of use.

このスマートフォンの電池、だいぶ弱ってきたみたいです。
(Kono sumaatofon no denchi, daibu yowatte kita mitai desu.)
It seems this smartphone's battery has weakened quite a bit.

In everyday social interactions, the phrase 'Yowatta naa' is a common reaction to unexpected bad news. If a train is delayed and someone is going to be late for an important meeting, they might sigh and say this. It’s less dramatic than 'Zetsubou da' (I'm in despair) but more heartfelt than a simple 'Komatta.' It suggests that the situation has 'weakened' their ability to cope or find an easy solution. This psychological use is very distinct from the physical one.

急な出費が続いて、家計が弱っています。
(Kyuu na shuppi ga tsuzuite, kakei ga yowatte imasu.)
With a series of sudden expenses, the household budget is in a weakened state.

Lastly, you'll hear it in nature-related contexts. Gardeners talk about plants yowaru due to pests or heatwaves. Fish in a tank might be described as yowatte iru if they are swimming sluggishly. In all these cases, the word acts as a red flag, signaling that intervention or care is needed before the situation worsens. By listening for yowaru, you can often pick up on the underlying anxiety or concern the speaker has for the subject's well-being.

While 弱る (yowaru) seems straightforward, learners often make several common errors, primarily involving transitivity, parts of speech, and nuance confusion. Understanding these pitfalls will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise.

Confusing with 弱める (yowameru): The most frequent mistake is using yowaru when you mean to 'weaken' something else. Yowaru is intransitive (it happens on its own). If you want to say 'I weakened the light' or 'The rain weakened the fire,' you must use the transitive verb yowameru. You cannot say 'Ame ga hi o yowatta.'
Overusing for 'Weak' Personalities: If you want to say someone is a 'weak person' (timid or fragile), the correct term is yowai hito or ki ga yowai. Using yowaru implies they were once strong but are now declining. Don't use yowaru to describe a permanent personality trait.
Mistaking for 'To Lose' (Makeru): In sports, learners sometimes say a team 'yowatta' when they mean they lost. While a team might weaken during a game, the act of losing is makeru. Yowaru describes the loss of strength, not the final result of a competition.

❌ 彼は病気で体を弱った。
✅ 彼は病気で体が弱った。
(The second one is correct: 'His body weakened due to illness.' The first one incorrectly tries to make the person the actor 'weakening' the body.)

Another subtle mistake is with the word yowatta (troubled). Some learners use it for very minor inconveniences where chotto... or komatta would be more appropriate. Yowatta implies a certain level of being 'stumped' or 'drained' by the problem. If you just dropped your pen, yowatta is too heavy. If you lost your passport in a foreign country, yowatta is perfect. Using it for trivial matters can sound slightly overdramatic or even comical depending on the tone.

❌ 電池が弱いです。(The battery is weak/permanent state)
✅ 電池が弱っています。(The battery has become weak/current state decline)

Finally, be careful with the kanji. While yowaru (弱る) is common, beginners sometimes confuse the kanji 弱 (weak) with 強 (strong) because they both contain the 'bow' radical 弓. Always look for the 'feathers' (彡) on the right side of 弱 to remember it represents a weak bowstring that cannot shoot an arrow far. Mixing these up in writing can completely flip the meaning of your sentence!

Japanese has several verbs that describe decline or trouble. Choosing the right one—whether it's 弱る (yowaru), 衰える (otoroeru), or 困る (komaru)—will significantly enhance your fluency. Each has a specific flavor and context where it fits best.

弱る (Yowaru) vs. 衰える (Otoroeru): Yowaru is a general, common word for weakening. Otoroeru is more formal and specific to a decline in power, health, or beauty due to age or time. You use otoroeru for the 'decline of an empire' or 'fading beauty.' Yowaru is better for a battery dying or a sick person.
弱る (Yowaru) vs. 困る (Komaru): When used to mean 'troubled,' komaru is the standard word for being in a difficult situation. Yowaru (usually yowatta) is more colloquial and emphasizes the feeling of being 'defeated' or 'at a loss' by the situation. Komaru sounds like you need a solution; yowatta sounds like you're sighing over the difficulty.
弱る (Yowaru) vs. 萎びる (Shinabiru): Shinabiru is specifically used for plants or skin withering or shriveling. While a plant can yowaru (lose its health), shinabiru describes the physical appearance of it drying up. Use yowaru for the internal state and shinabiru for the outward shriveling.

比較：
1. 体力が弱る (General weakening of physical strength)
2. 体力が衰える (Decline of strength due to aging - more formal)

In the context of emotions, you might also consider へこむ (hekomu), which literally means 'to be dented' but is used as slang for 'to be depressed/down.' While yowaru means your spirit is weakening, hekomu is much more common among young people to describe feeling sad after a failure. Yowaru feels more like a slow drain of energy, whereas hekomu is a sudden drop in mood.

For mechanical items, koshou suru (to break down) is the end result. Yowaru is the warning sign before the breakdown. If your car engine is yowatte iru, it's making strange noises and losing power. If it koshou shita, it won't move at all. Using yowaru allows you to describe the progression of a problem before it becomes a total failure.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The markings on the right of the kanji 弱 are said to represent the soft downy feathers of a young bird, symbolizing something that has not yet gained strength or has lost it.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jo.wa.ɾɯ/

US /jo.wa.ɾu/

Japanese pitch accent: The word 弱る (yowaru) has a 'Heiban' (flat) or 'Atamadaka' (head-high) accent depending on the dialect, but standard Tokyo accent is usually Heiban: [yo-wa-ru].

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji is common but can be confused with other bow-radical characters.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'feathers' part of the kanji 弱.

Speaking 2/5

The 'yowatta' nuance is very easy and useful to adopt.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, though often muttered in the 'yowatta' context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

弱い (yowai) 強い (tsuyoi) 体 (karada) 困る (komaru) 電池 (denchi)

Learn Next

衰える (otoroeru) 弱める (yowameru) 参る (mairu) 回復する (kaifuku suru) 勢い (ikioi)

Advanced

形骸化 (keigaika) 脆弱性 (zeijakusei) 減衰 (gensui) 衰退 (suitai)

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Verbs (Jidoushi)

電池が弱る (The battery weakens) vs 電池を弱める (To weaken the battery).

~te kuru (Process towards the present)

足が弱ってきた (Legs have started to get weak).

~te iru (Current state)

花が弱っている (The flower is currently weak).

~te shimau (Regret/Completion)

火が弱ってしまった (The fire has weakened, unfortunately).

Noun form ~ri

心の弱り (Weakness of the heart).

Examples by Level

花が弱っています。

The flower is weakening.

Uses ~te iru to show the current state of the flower.

おじいさんの足が弱りました。

Grandfather's legs became weak.

Past tense 'yowarita' shows a completed change.

電池が弱いです。あ、弱っています。

The battery is weak. Oh, it is weakening.

Correcting from the adjective 'yowai' to the verb 'yowaru' to show decline.

体が弱ると、病気になります。

When the body weakens, you get sick.

Uses the conditional 'to' (when/if).

虫が弱っています。

The bug is weakening.

Simple subject + ga + yowatte iru.

火が弱くなりました。弱っています。

The fire became weak. It is weakening.

Comparing 'yowaku naru' (become weak) with 'yowaru'.

魚が弱っています。水をかえましょう。

The fish is weakening. Let's change the water.

Used to signal a need for action.

風が弱りました。

The wind weakened.

Natural phenomenon as the subject.

最近、スマートフォンの電池が弱ってきました。

Lately, my smartphone's battery has started to weaken.

~te kuru indicates a process that started in the past and continues to the present.

冬は寒くて、体が弱りやすいです。

In winter, it's cold and the body tends to weaken easily.

Verb stem + yasui (easy to...).

「どうしたの？」「財布を忘れて、弱っているんだ。」

"What's wrong?" "I forgot my wallet and I'm in a fix."

Introducing the 'troubled' meaning in a simple dialogue.

雨でキャンプの火が弱ってしまった。

The campfire weakened because of the rain (unfortunately).

~te shimau indicates regret or completion.

病気の後で、まだ足が弱っています。

After the illness, my legs are still weak.

Post-illness physical state.

この古いおもちゃは、モーターが弱っています。

This old toy's motor is weakening.

Mechanical subject.

暑さで庭の木が弱ってしまいました。

The garden trees have weakened due to the heat.

Cause indicated by 'de' (due to).

犬が弱ってきたので、病院へ連れて行きました。

The dog started to weaken, so I took it to the hospital.

Using 'node' for reason.

「昨日から電気が止まっていて、本当に弱ったよ。」

"The electricity has been out since yesterday, and I'm really in a fix."

Colloquial use of 'yowatta' to mean 'troubled'.

精神的に弱っている時は、無理をしないほうがいい。

When you are mentally weakened, it's better not to push yourself.

Seishinteki ni (mentally) modifying the state.

長引く入院生活で、筋肉がすっかり弱ってしまった。

Due to the long hospital stay, my muscles have completely weakened.

Sukkari (completely) emphasizing the degree.

不況の影響で、この町の経済が弱っています。

Due to the influence of the recession, this town's economy is weakening.

Abstract subject: economy.

「鍵をなくしたんだって？それは弱ったなあ。」

"You lost your keys? That's a real problem."

Expressing sympathy for someone's trouble.

台風の勢いが弱るのを待ってから出発しましょう。

Let's wait for the typhoon's strength to weaken before we leave.

Natural force 'ikioi' (momentum/strength) as the subject.

胃が弱っている時は、うどんのような消化にいいものがいい。

When your stomach is weak, things that are easy to digest like udon are good.

Specific organ health.

反対意見が多くて、彼の決意が弱り始めた。

With many opposing opinions, his determination began to weaken.

Verb stem + hajimeru (begin to...).

弱り目に祟り目というが、風邪をひいた上に財布まで落としてしまった。

They say misfortune never comes alone; on top of catching a cold, I even lost my wallet.

Using the idiom 'Yowarime ni tatarime'.

少子高齢化によって、地方自治体の機能が弱っています。

Due to the declining birthrate and aging population, the functions of local governments are weakening.

Formal societal context.

「急にプロジェクトの中止を命じられて、弱り果てている。」

"I was suddenly ordered to cancel the project, and I'm at my wit's end."

Yowari-hateru (to be completely exhausted/troubled).

激しい競争の中で、その企業のブランド力が弱ってきた。

Amid fierce competition, that company's brand power has begun to weaken.

Business context: brand power.

薬の副作用で、一時的に免疫力が弱ることがあります。

Due to side effects of the medicine, your immunity may temporarily weaken.

Medical context: immunity.

「そんなことを言われても、こちらとしては弱ってしまいます。」

"Even if you say that, it puts us in a difficult position."

Polite expression of being troubled in a negotiation.

伝統文化への関心が弱るのを防ぐために、新しい試みが必要だ。

To prevent interest in traditional culture from weakening, new initiatives are necessary.

Abstract subject: interest (kanshin).

ダムの建設によって、下流の川の勢いが弱った。

Due to the construction of the dam, the force of the river downstream weakened.

Environmental impact.

現代社会において、人間関係の希薄化が心の弱りを招いている。

In modern society, the thinning of human relationships is leading to a weakening of the heart.

Using the noun form 'yowari'.

夕闇が迫り、太陽の光が次第に弱っていく様子は美しい。

The way the sunlight gradually weakens as dusk approaches is beautiful.

Poetic description of light.

「度重なる不祥事に、組織の基盤が弱りきっている。」

"Due to repeated scandals, the foundation of the organization is completely weakened."

Verb stem + kiru (to do completely/to the end).

彼は病床にあっても、精神が弱ることは決してなかった。

Even while on his sickbed, his spirit never weakened.

Negative emphasis 'kesshite... nakatta'.

「あそこまで強く出られると、こちらが弱ってしまうのも無理はない。」

"It's no wonder we are at a loss when they come at us that strongly."

Psychological pressure from others.

長年の風雨にさらされ、石像の表面が弱り、崩れやすくなっている。

Exposed to wind and rain for years, the surface of the stone statue has weakened and become prone to crumbling.

Physical degradation of materials.

経済制裁によって、その国の国力が目に見えて弱っていった。

Due to economic sanctions, the national power of that country visibly weakened.

Me ni miete (visibly/remarkably).

「彼の言葉には、弱った心に寄り添う温かさがある。」

"His words have a warmth that stays close to a weakened heart."

Metaphorical use in a compassionate context.

万物の流転に従い、かつての栄華もまた弱り、滅びゆく運命にある。

Following the flux of all things, even former glory is destined to weaken and perish.

Philosophical/Literary tone.

「制度の形骸化が、国家のガバナンスを内側から弱らせている。」

"The institutionalization of empty forms is weakening the nation's governance from the inside."

Causative form 'yowaraseru' (though the prompt word is yowaru, C2 involves understanding its derivatives).

意識が遠のく中で、彼は自分の生命の灯火が弱るのを感じた。

As consciousness faded, he felt the flame of his own life weakening.

Deeply metaphorical and literary.

「一時の感情に任せて行動すれば、後で必ず弱ることになるぞ。」

"If you act on a momentary emotion, you will surely find yourself in a fix later."

Using 'yowaru' as a warning about future trouble.

「学問の自由が損なわれれば、真理を探究する力そのものが弱ってしまう。」

"If academic freedom is compromised, the very power to seek truth will weaken."

Abstract academic context.

その詩は、夕暮れ時の弱りゆく光の中に消えゆく希望を描写している。

The poem depicts hope fading into the weakening light of dusk.

Noun modification with 'yowari-yuku' (weakening and going).

「これほどの難局に直面して、弱りを見せないのは並大抵のことではない。」

"To not show any weakness when facing such a difficult situation is no ordinary feat."

Noun form 'yowari' meaning 'sign of weakness'.

歴史の潮流の中で、旧来の価値観が弱り、新たな秩序が模索されている。

Within the tide of history, old values are weakening, and a new order is being sought.

Macro-societal perspective.

Common Collocations

足腰が弱る

胃が弱る

電池が弱る

気が弱る

勢いが弱る

経済が弱る

免疫が弱る

視力が弱る

地盤が弱る

関係が弱る

Common Phrases

弱ったなあ

— Used when one is in a fix or encountered a difficult problem. 'Oh boy, I'm in trouble.'

「終電を逃した。弱ったなあ。」

弱り目に祟り目

— One misfortune following another. Similar to 'It never rains but it pours.'

「財布を落とした上に雨に降られるなんて、弱り目に祟り目だ。」

弱り果てる

— To be completely exhausted or at one's wit's end.

「仕事が多すぎて、弱り果てている。」

体が弱る

— One's physical condition is declining, usually due to age or illness.

「病気で体が弱ってしまった。」

気が弱る

— To lose heart or become discouraged.

「叱られて気が弱ってしまった。」

足腰が弱る

— Legs and hips (lower body) getting weak, a common sign of aging.

「祖母は足腰が弱って、歩くのが大変そうだ。」

火が弱る

— The fire is dying down or losing its intensity.

「薪を足さないと火が弱ってしまう。」

光が弱る

— The light is dimming or becoming less bright.

「電池が切れて、懐中電灯の光が弱った。」

勢力が弱る

— Power or influence is declining.

「その政党の勢力が弱っている。」

胃腸が弱る

— The digestive system is not functioning well.

「夏バテで胃腸が弱っている。」

Often Confused With

弱る vs 弱い (yowai)

Yowai is an adjective (state), yowaru is a verb (process). You can't say 'yowaru desu'.

弱る vs 弱める (yowameru)

Yowameru is transitive (to make something weak). Yowaru is intransitive (to become weak).

弱る vs 負ける (makeru)

Makeru means to lose a competition. Yowaru means to lose strength.

Idioms & Expressions

"弱り目に祟り目"

— Misfortunes come in pairs or more. When you are already in a weak state, something worse happens.

「風邪をひいた時に限って仕事が忙しくなるなんて、弱り目に祟り目だ。」

Common Idiom

"弱り果てる"

— To be extremely troubled or completely worn out.

「あまりの難問に、彼は弱り果てていた。」

Emphasis

"気が弱る"

— To become timid or lose one's spirit.

「失敗を恐れて、すっかり気が弱ってしまった。」

Psychological

"身も心も弱る"

— To be weakened in both body and mind/soul.

「過労で身も心も弱っている。」

Literary/Dramatic

"弱りを見せる"

— To show vulnerability or signs of weakness to others.

「彼は決して人前で弱りを見せない。」

Idiomatic usage of noun form

"地盤が弱る"

— Literally the ground getting soft, but also used for a power base weakening.

「相次ぐ不祥事で、彼の地盤が弱っている。」

Political/Social

"息が弱る"

— One's breathing becomes faint, often used in medical or dramatic contexts.

「老人の息がだんだん弱ってきた。」

Medical/Literary

"風が弱る"

— The wind dies down.

「夕方になって風が弱った。」

Natural phenomenon

"光が弱る"

— Light losing intensity.

「日が沈み、光が弱ってきた。」

Natural phenomenon

"胃が弱る"

— To have poor digestion or a sensitive stomach.

「最近胃が弱っていて、油っこいものが食べられない。」

Daily Life

Easily Confused

弱る vs 衰える (otoroeru)

Both mean to weaken.

Otoroeru is more about long-term decline (aging, empires), while yowaru is general (batteries, sickness, trouble).

記憶力が衰える (Memory declines) vs 風邪で体が弱る (Body weakens from a cold).

弱る vs 困る (komaru)

Both can mean to be in trouble.

Komaru is the general word for trouble. Yowaru (yowatta) emphasizes being 'drained' or 'at a loss' by the trouble.

お金がなくて困る vs 予想外の質問に弱った。

弱る vs 萎びる (shinabiru)

Both describe plants losing vitality.

Shinabiru is specifically about withering/shriveling appearance. Yowaru is about the internal loss of health.

ほうれん草が萎びる (Spinach shrivels) vs 根が腐って花が弱る (Roots rot and the flower weakens).

弱る vs 参る (mairu)

Both mean to be overwhelmed or troubled.

Mairu is more about being 'done in' or 'fed up.' Yowaru is about being 'weakened' by the situation.

暑さに参る vs 難しい問題に弱る。

弱る vs へばる (hebaru)

Both mean to lose strength.

Hebaru is very informal and specifically means physical exhaustion (tuckered out).

階段を上ってへばる。

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] が弱っています。

花が弱っています。

[Subject] が弱ってきました。

電池が弱ってきました。

[Situation] に弱る。

雨に弱る。

弱ったなあ。

弱ったなあ、鍵がない。

[Cause] で [Subject] が弱る。

不況で経済が弱る。

[Subject] が弱り果てる。

彼は弱り果てている。

[Subject] の弱り。

心の弱りを感じる。

[Subject] が弱りゆく。

弱りゆく光の中で。

Word Family

Nouns

弱り (yowari - weakness, decline)

弱み (yowami - a weakness or weak point)

弱音 (yowane - complaints, sounds of weakness)

Verbs

弱める (yowameru - to weaken something, transitive)

弱まる (yowamaru - to become weak, intransitive)

弱り果てる (yowari-hateru - to be completely exhausted)

Adjectives

弱い (yowai - weak)

弱々しい (yowayowashii - frail, feeble-looking)

衰弱 (suijaku - breakdown, emaciation)

弱点 (jakuten - weak point)

軟弱 (nanjaku - weak-kneed, flabby)

脆弱 (zeijaku - fragile, vulnerable)

病弱 (byoujaku - sickly)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Japanese.

Common Mistakes

Using 'yowaru' transitively. → 弱める (yowameru)
You cannot say 'I weakened the tea.' You must say 'I made the tea weak' or use 'yowameru' for things like light/fire.
Confusing 'yowaru' with 'makeru'. → 負ける (makeru)
If your team lost the game, say 'maketa.' If they just lost their energy during the game, you can say 'yowatta.'
Using 'yowaru' for a permanent trait. → 弱い (yowai)
If someone is naturally a weak person, use 'yowai.' 'Yowaru' is for a change in state.
Incorrect Kanji: 強る → 弱る (yowaru)
Don't confuse the kanji for 'strong' (強) with 'weak' (弱). They look similar because of the bow radical.
Using 'yowaru' for minor issues. → ちょっと困った (chotto komatta)
If you just dropped your pencil, 'yowatta' is too strong. Use it for 'real' fixes.

Tips

Remember it's Intransitive

Always use ga with yowaru. You are the one who weakens, or the battery is the one that weakens. You don't 'yowaru' something else.

Great for Gadgets

If your phone doesn't last as long as it used to, tell your Japanese friends: 'Battery ga yowatte kita' (The battery has started to weaken).

Yowatta vs. Komatta

Use yowatta when you feel a bit more mentally drained by a problem than just a simple komatta.

Sensitive Aging

When talking about elderly people, yowaru is a common and empathetic way to describe their declining health.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 弱 has 10 strokes. Make sure the two 'bow' radicals on the left are balanced with the 'feathers' on the right.

The '~te kuru' combo

Almost always use yowatte kita when describing aging or batteries, as it emphasizes the gradual change.

Muttered Troubles

If you hear a Japanese person sigh 'Yowatta naa' under their breath, they've just realized a significant problem.

Bad Luck Combo

Memorize 'Yowarime ni tatarime' to describe a day where everything goes wrong.

Yowaru vs. Otoroeru

Use yowaru for everyday things and otoroeru for more formal or long-term biological decline.

Plant Care

If your houseplant is looking sad, it's yowatte iru. It's a great word for gardeners.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'YO-WAR-U'. Imagine a 'YO' (yo-yo) that was in a 'WAR' and now it's 'U' (useless/weak). It's 'yowaru' because it's weakening after the battle.

Visual Association

Visualize a battery icon turning red and the bar dropping down to a single sliver. That process is yowaru.

Word Web

Aging Battery Illness Trouble Decline Fading Exhaustion Fragility

Challenge

Try to use yowaru three times today: once for your physical state (tiredness), once for a gadget, and once to describe a problem you encountered.

Word Origin

The word comes from the adjective 'yowai' (weak). The kanji 弱 (jaku/yowai) consists of the 'bow' radical 弓 repeated twice, along with markings that originally represented feathers or hair. This suggests a bowstring that is too soft or decorative to be used effectively for shooting.

Original meaning: To be in a state where one lacks the strength of a functional bow.

Japonic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using yowaru directly to someone's face about their appearance (e.g., 'You look weakened'). It can sound like you are saying they look very ill or close to death. Use it more for describing conditions rather than insulting someone's looks.

English speakers might say 'dying' for a battery or 'failing' for a business. Yowaru covers both but with a softer nuance of 'becoming weak.'

Natsume Soseki's novels often use yowaru to describe the mental state of troubled intellectuals. The idiom 'Yowarime ni tatarime' appears frequently in Japanese drama and literature. Medical dramas in Japan use this term to describe the 'weakening' of a patient's will to live.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Health/Aging

足腰が弱る
病気で弱る
高齢で弱る
胃腸が弱る

Technology

バッテリーが弱る
電波が弱る
モーターが弱る
光が弱る

Problems/Trouble

弱ったなあ
返事に弱る
対応に弱る
処置に弱る

Nature/Environment

火が弱る
風が弱る
植物が弱る
雨が弱る

Economics/Business

経済が弱る
勢力が弱る
ブランドが弱る
経営が弱る

Conversation Starters

"最近、スマホの電池が弱ってきませんか？ (Lately, isn't your smartphone battery weakening?)"

"祖父母の足腰が弱ってきたので、何かいいプレゼントはありますか？ (My grandparents' legs are getting weak; do you have any good gift ideas?)"

"仕事でトラブルがあって、本当に弱っています。 (I had trouble at work and I'm really in a fix.)"

"夏バテで胃が弱っている時、何を食べますか？ (When your stomach is weak from summer heat, what do you eat?)"

"どうすれば地域の活力が弱るのを防げると思いますか？ (How do you think we can prevent the community's vitality from weakening?)"

Journal Prompts

最近「弱ったなあ」と思った出来事について書いてください。 (Write about an event recently where you thought 'I'm in a fix.')

自分の体が弱っていると感じる時、どのようにリラックスしますか？ (When you feel your body is weakening, how do you relax?)

古いものが弱っていくのを見て、悲しくなった経験はありますか？ (Have you ever felt sad seeing something old weakening?)

精神的に弱っている友人に、どのような言葉をかけますか？ (What kind of words would you say to a friend who is mentally weakened?)

スマートフォンの電池が弱った時、不便だと感じることは何ですか？ (What do you find inconvenient when your smartphone battery weakens?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but be careful. Describing someone as yowatte iru implies they look frail or sick. If you want to be more polite about an elderly person, you might use o-karada ga yowatte irassharu, but generally, it's better to use more indirect terms in formal settings.

They are very similar. Komatta is the standard 'I'm in trouble.' Yowatta is slightly more colloquial and suggests you are feeling 'weakened' or 'defeated' by the problem. You might use yowatta when you sigh and don't know the next step.

Usually, we use it for the battery (battery ga yowaru). For the computer performance itself, we usually say omoku naru (gets heavy/slow) or dousa ga nibuku naru (movement gets dull).

You should use the transitive verb yowameru. For example: 'Hikari o yowameru' (I weaken the light).

The most direct opposite for physical state is kaifuku suru (to recover). For intensity, it is tsuyomaru (to become stronger).

Yes, 'arashi no ikioi ga yowaru' (the storm's force weakens) is a very natural sentence.

It is used in specific phrases like 'kokoro no yowari' (weakness of the heart) or as part of the idiom 'yowarime ni tatarime.' It is not as common as the verb form.

No, for character, use the adjective yowai. Yowaru is for a change in state. If a strong person becomes timid due to stress, you could say ki ga yowatta.

Yes, to describe a weakening market, a declining brand, or being troubled by a difficult negotiation (yowaru).

It means to be completely and utterly weakened or at the very end of one's rope, either physically or mentally.