“软弱”常见的英文表达有 weak、feeble、frail 等,具体使用哪个词取决于语境:
weak:最常用,含义广泛,可形容身体、意志、能力等方面的“软弱;无力;虚弱” 。例如:
He was too weak to stand up.(他太虚弱了,站不起来。)
She has a weak will.(她意志薄弱。)
feeble:语气稍强,侧重指因年老、疾病或精神不济等导致身体或力量上的“软弱无力;衰弱” ,常带有一种缺乏活力、效率不高的意味。例如:
The old man was so feeble that he could hardly walk.(这位老人如此虚弱,几乎走不动路。)
His feeble attempt at a joke fell flat.(他试图讲的笑话效果很差,因为他讲得有气无力。)
frail:通常形容人身体“瘦弱的;脆弱的;易碎的” ,强调身体状况不佳,容易受到伤害。例如:
She's very frail now and needs constant care.(她现在身体很虚弱,需要人时刻照料。)
The frail vase broke easily.(这个易碎的花瓶很容易就碎了。 )