Meaning

Primary

Weakling

Alternative

Coward

Word Type

noun, な adjective, の adjective

Explanation

A weak insect. This is what people call weaklings in Japan. This is a good word to know if you're a bully, or something.

Reading

よわむし
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading for this one is a weird one. It uses the kun'yomi readings for both, meaning you'll have to pull your knowledge of the word 弱い from earlier and apply it here. should be okay, though, as this is the reading you learned with the kanji.

Just remember, only weak bugs use kun'yomi, and that weak bug is you in this instance.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 弱虫の弟

    wimpy little brother

    弱虫の妹

    wimpy little sister

    弱虫の自分

    my wimpy self

Context Sentences

弟は弱虫だと言われている。

People say my younger brother is a wimp.

気は強いけど、ちょっと弱虫な男がタイプです。

My type is a man with a strong will but is a bit wimpy.

弱虫だって毛虫だってなんだって、君は君のままでいいよ。

No matter what you are — whether you're a wimp, or even a caterpillar, you should be just the way you are.

Kanji Composition