Definition
衰弱 (shuāiruò) means 'weak, feeble' and emphasizes a gradual decline or loss of strength over time, often used for health, organs, or systems (e.g., eyesight, economy). Unlike 弱 (ruò, general 'weak') or 虚弱 (xūruò, a state of being frail), 衰弱 implies a process of weakening from a previous stronger state. It is not used for character (软弱 ruǎnruò) or faintness of sound/light (微弱 wēiruò).
adjective
weakfeeble
Examples
- 衰弱。Guòdù láolèi huì ràng shēntǐ yuèláiyuè shuāi ruò.Overwork will make the body weaker and weaker.
- 衰弱。Tā de shìlì zài jǐ nián nèi míngxiǎn shuāi ruò le.His eyesight has noticeably weakened within a few years.
- 衰弱。Chángqī de fǔbài dǎozhì guójiā jīngjì shuāi ruò.Long-term corruption led to the weakening of the national economy.
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