อ่อนแอ
weak
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 weak、feeble、vulnerable
Describes a person, body, organization, economy, or similar subject that lacks strength and has difficulty resisting illness, pressure, or hardship.
weak、feeble、vulnerable
Lacking the physical, emotional, or structural strength needed to withstand difficulty or harmful influences.
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ร่างกายอ่อนแอ râaŋ kaay ɔ̀ɔnɛɛ to be physically weak ร่างกายอ่อนแอ details
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อย่าอ่อนแอ yàa ɔ̀ɔnɛɛ Don't give in to weakness. อย่าอ่อนแอ details
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เศรษฐกิจยังอ่อนแอ sèetthakìt yaŋ ɔ̀ɔnɛɛ The economy is still weak. เศรษฐกิจยังอ่อนแอ details
Learning notes
Explanation
อ่อนแอ is a general term for lacking strength or resistance. With people, it can describe physical frailty or emotional weakness. It is also used for weak economies, organizations, institutions, and similar abstract subjects. Thai adjectives can function directly as predicates, so เขาอ่อนแอ means “He is weak” without a separate verb meaning “be.” The pattern อ่อนแอต่อ + noun means “to be vulnerable or susceptible to something.” Adding ความ forms the noun ความอ่อนแอ, meaning “weakness” or “vulnerability.”
Usage
It is used in everyday conversation for physical frailty, weakness after illness, and emotional or mental weakness. In news and explanatory writing, it commonly describes weak economies, organizations, or systems, as well as susceptibility to disease or pressure.
Caution
Directly telling someone คุณอ่อนแอ (“You are weak”) can sound like a criticism of their character or ability. For temporary illness, ไม่สบาย (“unwell”) is more precise; for ordinary fatigue, use เหนื่อย (“tired”).