When you're learning Japanese and aiming for a CEFR B1 level, you're moving beyond basic survival phrases and starting to express more nuanced ideas and feelings. Understanding phrases like 気が弱い (ki ga yowai) is perfect for this stage.
It allows you to describe personalities and emotional states with greater precision, which is a key skill at B1. You'll be able to understand and participate in conversations about people's characteristics, whether in daily life or in simple stories.
This kind of vocabulary helps you connect more deeply with native speakers and understand Japanese culture on a more subtle level. It's about building your descriptive power.
§ What does 気が弱い mean?
The Japanese adjective 気が弱い (ki ga yowai) literally translates to "spirit/mind is weak." However, in common usage, it means timid, faint-hearted, or weak-willed. It describes someone who lacks courage, is easily intimidated, or struggles to stand up for themselves. It’s not necessarily about physical weakness, but rather a disposition in character.
- DEFINITION
- Timid, faint-hearted, weak-willed. Describes someone lacking courage or easily intimidated.
§ When do people use it?
You'll hear or use 気が弱い when describing someone's personality or behavior in situations where they show a lack of assertiveness or courage. It's often used in a slightly critical or sympathetic way, but it's generally a descriptive term rather than a harsh insult. It's about someone who might struggle with making decisions, expressing their opinions, or confronting difficult situations.
§ Common situations for 気が弱い:
- When someone avoids conflict, even when necessary.
- When someone is easily swayed by others' opinions.
- When someone is hesitant to try new things due to fear of failure.
- When someone has trouble saying no.
Here are some examples to help you understand its usage in context:
彼は気が弱いので、人前で話すのが苦手だ。
He is timid, so he's not good at speaking in front of people.
もっと自分の意見を言った方がいいよ。そんなに気が弱くないで。
You should express your own opinions more. Don't be so weak-willed.
彼女は気が弱い性格なので、すぐに泣いてしまうことがある。
Because she has a faint-hearted personality, she sometimes cries easily.
あの犬は見た目は大きいけど、実はとても気が弱いんです。
That dog looks big, but actually, it's very timid.
Understanding 気が弱い helps you grasp a nuanced aspect of Japanese personality descriptions. It's a useful term for describing someone who might be hesitant or easily intimidated, often with a sense of understanding rather than harsh judgment.
Alright, let's dive into how to actually use 気が弱い (ki ga yowai) in your Japanese sentences. Understanding how to grammatically integrate new vocabulary is just as important as knowing its meaning!
§ Basic Sentence Structure with 気が弱い
気が弱い (ki ga yowai) is an い-adjective. This makes it pretty straightforward to use. Just like other い-adjectives (e.g., 楽しい tanoshii - fun, 嬉しい ureshii - happy), you can directly attach it to a noun or use it with です (desu) to form a complete sentence.
§ Describing a Person Directly
The simplest way to use 気が弱い is to describe someone as being timid or faint-hearted. You can do this by using the particle は (wa) to mark the topic (the person) and then following it with 気が弱い です (ki ga yowai desu).
彼は気が弱いです。
Kare wa ki ga yowai desu.
- Hint
- He is timid.
彼女は少し気が弱いかもしれません。
Kanojo wa sukoshi ki ga yowai kamoshiremasen.
- Hint
- She might be a little weak-willed.
§ Modifying a Noun
You can also use 気が弱い directly before a noun to describe that noun. This is just like using any other い-adjective before a noun.
気が弱い人は、新しいことに挑戦するのが苦手です。
Ki ga yowai hito wa, atarashii koto ni chōsen suru no ga nigate desu.
- Hint
- Timid people are not good at trying new things.
彼は気が弱い性格なので、人前で話すのが得意ではありません。
Kare wa ki ga yowai seikaku nano de, hitomae de hanasu no ga tokui dewa arimasen.
- Hint
- Because he has a timid personality, he's not good at speaking in front of people.
§ Using 気が弱い in Different Tenses
Since 気が弱い is an い-adjective, its conjugations follow the standard rules for い-adjectives.
- Past Tense (Polite): 気が弱かったです (ki ga yowakatta desu)
- Negative (Polite): 気が弱くないです (ki ga yowakunai desu) or 気が弱くありません (ki ga yowaku arimasen)
- Past Negative (Polite): 気が弱くなかったです (ki ga yowakunakatta desu) or 気が弱くありませんでした (ki ga yowaku arimasen deshita)
昔、彼はとても気が弱かったです。
Mukashi, kare wa totemo ki ga yowakatta desu.
- Hint
- He used to be very timid.
彼女は全然気が弱くないですよ。
Kanojo wa zenzen ki ga yowakunai desu yo.
- Hint
- She's not timid at all.
§ Related Expressions and Nuances
While 気が弱い directly translates to timid or faint-hearted, it often implies a lack of courage or conviction in situations that require assertiveness. It’s not necessarily about being shy (though a timid person might also be shy), but more about being easily swayed or lacking inner strength.
§ Comparing with Other Words
It's useful to know how 気が弱い differs from other similar Japanese adjectives:
- 恥ずかしい (hazukashii): This means 'shy' or 'embarrassed'. A shy person might avoid social situations, but they aren't necessarily weak-willed.
- 臆病 (okubyō) (な-adjective): This also means 'cowardly' or 'timid'. It's very close in meaning to 気が弱い, but 臆病 often carries a stronger connotation of being afraid or lacking guts. 気が弱い can sometimes be softer, implying a gentle or easily discouraged nature rather than outright cowardice.
By practicing these sentence patterns and understanding the nuances, you'll be able to use 気が弱い naturally and accurately in your conversations. Keep an eye out for it in native materials to see it in context!
Guia de pronúncia
- mispronouncing 'ga' as 'gah'
- not giving enough emphasis to 'yowai'
Exemplos por nível
彼は気が弱くて、自分の意見をはっきり言えません。
He is timid and cannot clearly state his opinions.
気が弱い人でも、練習すれば自信を持てるようになります。
Even faint-hearted people can gain confidence with practice.
彼女は気が弱いので、一人で暗い夜道を歩くのが苦手です。
Since she is weak-willed, she doesn't like walking alone on dark roads at night.
気が弱い性格を直したいと彼は言っていました。
He said he wants to fix his timid personality.
気が弱い人だと思われがちですが、実は芯が強いんです。
He tends to be thought of as faint-hearted, but he's actually strong-willed.
気が弱くてチャンスを逃してしまうこともあります。
Sometimes opportunities are missed due to being weak-willed.
新しい環境に慣れるまでは、少し気が弱くなるものです。
It's natural to feel a bit timid until you get used to a new environment.
彼は気が弱いから、みんなに流されやすいんですよ。
He's faint-hearted, so he's easily swayed by everyone.
Frequentemente confundido com
This is the direct opposite, meaning strong-willed or assertive.
This means considerate or thoughtful, often in a helpful way, unrelated to strength of will.
This means feeling heavy-hearted or dreading something, a temporary emotional state, not a personality trait.
Fácil de confundir
Both can describe shyness or lack of assertiveness.
気が弱い (ki ga yowai) emphasizes a lack of courage or easily influenced nature, often due to fear or indecisiveness. 内気 (uchiki) specifically refers to shyness or being introverted, a personality trait. Someone can be 内気 (uchiki) but not necessarily 気が弱い (ki ga yowai) if they have inner strength, just prefer quietness.
彼女は内気だけど、芯は強い人だ。(She is shy, but a strong-willed person at heart.)
Both relate to fear and lacking courage.
気が弱い (ki ga yowai) is about a general disposition of being timid or faint-hearted in various situations. 臆病 (okubyō) more strongly emphasizes being cowardly or easily frightened, often specifically in the face of danger or challenge. 臆病 can be a more intense form of fear.
彼は臆病なので、お化け屋敷には入れない。(He is cowardly, so he can't enter a haunted house.)
Shares 'weak' character and sounds similar.
気が弱い (ki ga yowai) is a personality trait, describing someone's consistent nature. 弱気 (yowaki) refers to a temporary state of being pessimistic, unconfident, or showing signs of losing spirit, often in response to a specific situation or setback. One can be 気が強い (ki ga tsuyoi - strong-willed) but still be 弱気 (yowaki) in a particular moment.
試験前はいつも弱気になる。(I always become unconfident before exams.)
Timid people often struggle with decision-making.
気が弱い (ki ga yowai) is the general disposition of being timid. 優柔不断 (yūjūfudan) specifically describes indecisiveness or hesitation, a *result* or *aspect* of being timid. Someone who is 気が弱い (ki ga yowai) might also be 優柔不断 (yūjūfudan), but not all 優柔不断 (yūjūfudan) people are necessarily 気が弱い (ki ga yowai) in terms of courage; they might just overthink.
彼は優柔不断で、いつも決めるのに時間がかかる。(He is indecisive and always takes a long time to decide.)
People who are timid often lack confidence.
気が弱い (ki ga yowai) describes a person's inherent nature of being timid or easily swayed. 自信がない (jishin ga nai) means 'lacks confidence' and is a state that can apply to specific skills or general self-worth. While a 気が弱い (ki ga yowai) person usually has 自信がない (jishin ga nai), someone can lack confidence in one area (e.g., public speaking) but not be generally 気が弱い (ki ga yowai) as a person.
彼女は歌に自信がない。(She lacks confidence in singing.)
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Teste-se 60 perguntas
The speaker is describing their personality.
How does this person feel because they are timid?
What is difficult for timid people?
Read this aloud:
私は気が弱いです。
Focus: ki ga yowai desu
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
彼は気が弱いです。
Focus: kare wa ki ga yowai desu
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
気が弱くないですか？
Focus: ki ga yowakunai desu ka
Você disse:
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This sentence means 'He is timid.' The particle 'は' marks the topic '彼' (he), and '気が弱い' describes his personality.
This sentence means 'I am a little timid.' '少し' means 'a little' and modifies '気が弱い'.
This sentence means 'She is timid, so she has few friends.' 'ので' indicates a reason.
彼はいつも自信がなく、少し___。
The sentence describes someone lacking confidence, which aligns with '気が弱い' (timid/weak-willed).
新しいことに挑戦するとき、彼女はいつも___。
If she's hesitant to try new things, it suggests she is '気が弱い' (timid).
大きな声で話すのが苦手で、彼はとても___。
Someone who struggles to speak loudly is likely '気が弱い' (faint-hearted).
失敗を恐れて何もできないのは、___人の特徴だ。
Fearing failure and being unable to act is a characteristic of a '気が弱い' (weak-willed) person.
会議で自分の意見を言えないのは、彼が___からだ。
Being unable to express one's opinion in a meeting suggests they are '気が弱い' (timid).
彼女は見た目は強いが、実はとても___。
The sentence contrasts her strong appearance with her true nature, indicating she is '気が弱い' (timid/weak-willed).
Choose the most appropriate meaning for 「気が弱い」:
「気が弱い」 (ki ga yowai) directly translates to 'spirit is weak,' meaning timid or faint-hearted.
Which sentence best describes someone who is 「気が弱い」?
Being timid or faint-hearted often means being shy or uncomfortable in public speaking situations.
If someone is 「気が弱い」, what are they less likely to do?
A weak-willed person would struggle with making difficult decisions.
「気が弱い」人は、たいてい積極的です。(People who are timid are usually proactive.)
「気が弱い」 generally means being hesitant or reserved, not proactive.
「気が弱い」は、性格を表す言葉です。(「気が弱い」 is a word that describes personality.)
Yes, 「気が弱い」 describes a person's character or disposition.
勇敢な人は「気が弱い」です。(Brave people are timid.)
Brave (勇敢な) is the opposite of timid or faint-hearted (気が弱い).
He is timid, so he can't easily express his own opinion. What does 「気が弱い」 mean here?
In a new environment, one tends to become faint-hearted. What is the speaker's state of mind?
I want to become stronger-willed. What is the opposite of 「気が弱い」?
Read this aloud:
私は気が弱いので、人前で話すのが苦手です。
Focus: ki ga yowai
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
彼は気が弱い性格ですが、優しい人です。
Focus: ki ga yowai seikaku
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
もっと気が強くなると、色々なことに挑戦できます。
Focus: ki ga tsuyoku naru
Você disse:
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彼女は新しい環境に慣れるまで、少し気が弱いところがありました。
「気が弱い」は「tImid, faint-hearted, weak-willed」という意味なので、新しい環境で少し自信がない様子を表しています。
彼は気が弱い性格なので、なかなか自分の意見を言えません。
「気が弱い」という性格のため、自分の意見を主張するのが難しいという文脈です。
もう少し気が強くならなければ、この仕事は務まらないだろう。
「気が強くならなければ」は「気が弱い」の反対で、「もっと自信を持って、弱気にならないように」という意味です。この仕事にはそれが必要だと言っています。
気が弱い人は、新しいことに挑戦するのが得意です。
気が弱い人は、通常、新しいことへの挑戦に躊躇する傾向があります。
「気が弱い」は、物事を強く主張できる性格を表します。
「気が弱い」は、物事を強く主張できない、 timid な性格を表します。
彼は気が弱いので、一人で海外旅行に行くことを決めました。
気が弱い人は通常、一人で海外旅行のような大きな決断をするのに躊躇します。
This sentence means 'Because he is timid, he can never express his opinions.' '気が弱い' describes his personality, which leads to him being unable to state his opinions.
This sentence means 'It's common to become timid in a new environment.' Here, '気が弱くなる' shows a change in someone's disposition.
This sentence means 'Even timid people can gain confidence if they make an effort.' It shows that timidity is not an insurmountable trait.
彼はいつもみんなの意見に流されてしまう。本当に___な人だ。
Context suggests someone easily swayed, fitting '気が弱い' (weak-willed).
新しい挑戦を前にして、彼女はいつも少し___になる。
Facing a new challenge often makes people timid, so '気が弱い' (timid) fits here.
あの子は___から、すぐにいじめっ子に狙われてしまう。
Someone easily bullied is likely '気が弱い' (faint-hearted).
もっと自信を持って。そんなに___では、何も始まらないよ。
The advice to have more confidence implies the person is '気が弱い' (weak-willed).
重大な決断を迫られた時、彼は___なので、いつも誰かに頼ってしまう。
Someone who relies on others for major decisions is likely '気が弱い' (weak-willed).
発表の時、彼は___な性格なので、声が小さくなってしまった。
A timid person (気が弱い) would likely have a quiet voice during a presentation.
Describe a time when you or someone you know felt 気が弱い and how that situation was handled. What was the outcome?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は新しい仕事に就くとき、いつも気が弱くなります。特に、初めてのプレゼンテーションの日は心臓がバクバクします。しかし、しっかり準備をして、深呼吸をすることで、何とか乗り切ることができました。結果として、自信がつき、次のプレゼンではもっと堂々と話せるようになりました。
In a paragraph, explain how someone who is 気が弱い might be perceived in different cultural contexts, especially comparing Japan and your own culture. What are the potential advantages or disadvantages of being seen as 気が弱い?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
日本では、気が弱いことは時には謙虚さや思慮深さと見なされることがあります。しかし、西欧文化では、決断力がない、またはリーダーシップに欠けると見られるかもしれません。利点としては、衝突を避け、周囲との調和を保つことができる点が挙げられます。欠点としては、自分の意見を主張できず、機会を逃してしまう可能性があることです。
Imagine you are advising a friend who is 気が弱い about a big decision they need to make. Write a short email or message offering them encouragement and practical advice on how to overcome their timidity in this specific situation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Subject: 大丈夫だよ！ [友人の名前]へ、 元気？大事な決断のことで悩んでいるって聞いたよ。気が弱いと感じるのは、誰にでもあることだよね。でも、君には素晴らしい才能と強さがあることを知っているよ。まずは、小さなことから一歩踏み出してみてはどうかな？たとえば、その決断について、信頼できる人に相談してみるとか。そして、もし不安になったら、いつでも私に連絡してね。一緒に乗り越えよう！
このリーダーの「気が弱い」性格がプロジェクトにどのような影響を与えましたか？
Read this passage:
彼は新しいプロジェクトのリーダーに選ばれたが、気が弱い性格のせいで、なかなか自分の意見を主張できなかった。チームメンバーの中には、彼の優柔不断さに不満を抱く者もいたが、彼の繊細さが細部にまで気を配る良い結果を生むこともあった。最終的に、彼は少しずつ自信をつけ、チームを成功に導いた。
このリーダーの「気が弱い」性格がプロジェクトにどのような影響を与えましたか？
本文に「チームメンバーの中には、彼の優柔不断さに不満を抱く者もいたが、彼の繊細さが細部にまで気を配る良い結果を生むこともあった」とあります。
本文に「チームメンバーの中には、彼の優柔不断さに不満を抱く者もいたが、彼の繊細さが細部にまで気を配る良い結果を生むこともあった」とあります。
田中さんはどのようにして人前で話す苦手を克服しましたか？
Read this passage:
田中さんは、気が弱い性格のため、人前で話すのが苦手でした。しかし、彼は自分の夢を諦めたくなかったので、スピーチクラブに入会し、毎週練習を重ねました。初めは声が震え、目が泳いでいましたが、数ヶ月後には自信を持って聴衆に語りかけることができるようになりました。彼の努力は周囲の人々にも勇気を与えました。
田中さんはどのようにして人前で話す苦手を克服しましたか？
本文に「スピーチクラブに入会し、毎週練習を重ねました」とあります。
本文に「スピーチクラブに入会し、毎週練習を重ねました」とあります。
気が弱い人の長所として、本文で挙げられているのはどれですか？
Read this passage:
気が弱い人は、新しい環境に馴染むのに時間がかかることが多い。彼らは他人の意見に流されやすく、自分の感情を表現するのが苦手な場合がある。しかし、一度信頼できる関係を築けば、非常に忠実で思いやりのある友人になることも多い。彼らの内向的な性格は、深い思考や感受性の高さにつながることもあるのだ。
気が弱い人の長所として、本文で挙げられているのはどれですか？
本文に「一度信頼できる関係を築けば、非常に忠実で思いやりのある友人になることも多い」とあります。
本文に「一度信頼できる関係を築けば、非常に忠実で思いやりのある友人になることも多い」とあります。
The correct order expresses that 'He, because he is timid, hesitates at new challenges.' 「彼は」 (He) is the subject, 「気が弱いので」 (because he is timid) is the reason, and 「新しい挑戦にためらう」 (hesitates at new challenges) is the action.
The sentence translates to 'She, being timid, hesitated to speak at the meeting.' 「彼女は」 (She) is the subject, 「気が弱くて」 (being timid) is the reason, 「会議で」 (at the meeting) specifies the location, and 「発言するのをためらった」 (hesitated to speak) is the action.
This sentence means 'If you are timid, expressing your own opinion is difficult.' 「気が弱いと」 (If you are timid) sets the condition, and 「自分の意見を言うのは難しい」 (expressing your own opinion is difficult) is the consequence.
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
Exemplo
彼は気が弱くて、自分の意見を言えないことが多い。
Conteúdo relacionado
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
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ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
