weak
gb/wˈik/ us/wˈik/
A2
English
~ 2100
gyenge, gyenge akaratú, erélytelen, híg
A2
1
gyenge
A1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is weak
After the flu, she felt too weak to stand.
Az influenza után túl gyengének érezte magát ahhoz, hogy felálljon.
He was weak from hunger and exhaustion.
Gyenge volt az éhségtől és a kimerültségtől.
The patient is still too weak to walk alone.
Learner examples
I feel weak after running.
Gyengének érzem magam futás után.
He is too weak to lift the box.
Túl gyenge ahhoz, hogy felemelje a dobozt.
My legs are weak today.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'weak' with 'week' because they sound the same.
Meaning
Lacking physical strength
Collocations
physically weak
|too weak
|weak muscles
|feel weak
Synonyms
feeble (Slightly more formal and can suggest fragility.)
Antonyms
strong (Describes having great physical power or ability.)
Themes
health
|daily life
|sports
|body
Definition
Not having much physical power or energy.
Lacking physical power or muscle strength.
B1
2
erélytelen
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is weak
He was too weak to stand up to his boss.
Túl gyenge akaratú volt ahhoz, hogy szembeszálljon a főnökével.
They accused the leader of being weak in negotiations.
Azzal vádolták a vezetőt, hogy erélytelen volt a tárgyalásokon.
She is not weak; she just chooses kindness.
Learner examples
He is weak and cannot say no.
Gyenge akaratú, és nem tud nemet mondani.
The man is too weak to fight back.
A férfi túl gyenge akaratú ahhoz, hogy megvédje magát.
I am not weak. I can do it.
Meaning
Lacking determination or courage
Collocations
weak character
|weak will
|too weak to resist
Synonyms
timid (Suggests shyness or fearfulness more than lack of resolve.)
Antonyms
determined (Shows firm decision and strong will.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not able to make strong decisions or show courage.
Lacking firmness of character, resolve, or emotional strength.
A2
3
gyenge
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] is weak
The flashlight's beam was weak.
A zseblámpa fénye gyenge volt.
We received only a weak signal from the radio tower.
Csak gyenge jelet fogtunk a rádiótorony felől.
The medicine had a weak effect on the symptoms.
Learner examples
The light is weak in this room.
Gyenge a fény ebben a szobában.
I hear a weak sound from far away.
Távolról gyenge hangot hallok.
The phone has a weak signal here.
Meaning
Not strong in force or effect
Collocations
weak signal
|weak light
|weak current
Synonyms
faint (Often used for sounds, lights, or smells that are barely noticeable.)
Antonyms
strong (Having great force, intensity, or effect.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not strong or powerful.
Having little power, intensity, or force.
B1
4
gyenge
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] is weak
The lawyer gave a weak defense of his client.
Az ügyvéd gyenge védelmet nyújtott az ügyfelének.
Her essay was well-written but had a weak conclusion.
Az esszéje jól volt megírva, de a befejezése gyenge volt.
That's a weak excuse for being late.
Learner examples
The story is weak and boring.
A történet gyenge és unalmas.
He gave a weak answer to the question.
Gyenge választ adott a kérdésre.
The team played a weak game.
Meaning
Poor in quality or effectiveness
Collocations
weak argument
|weak performance
|weak excuse
Synonyms
poor (General term for low quality without specifying cause.)
Antonyms
strong (Convincing, effective, or high in quality.)
Themes
education
|arts
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
Not very good, strong, or effective.
Not effective, convincing, or good in quality.
A2
5
Usage pattern:
[drink/food] is weak
This coffee is too weak for my taste.
Ez a kávé az én ízlésemnek túl gyenge.
He prefers his tea very weak.
Nagyon gyengén szereti a teát.
The soup was bland and weak.
Learner examples
The tea is weak and not tasty.
A tea gyenge, és nem finom.
I like strong coffee, not weak coffee.
Az erős kávét szeretem, nem a gyengét.
This juice is weak and has little flavor.
Meaning
Lacking strong flavor or concentration
Collocations
weak coffee
|weak tea
|weak drink
Synonyms
watery (Suggests excessive dilution with water.)
Antonyms
strong (Having a lot of flavor or concentration.)
Themes
food and drink
|food_drink
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not having much taste or not strong in flavor.
Not having a strong taste, smell, or concentration; diluted.
Grammar
Dictionary form
weak
IPA
GB/wˈik/
US/wˈik/
Syllables & stress
weak (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (weak)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: weak
- Comparative: weaker
- Superlative: weakest
Word family
Expressions
go weak at the knees
1/ɡˈoʊ wˈik ˈæt ðə nˈiz/
idiom
informal
Feel shaky from emotion or attraction
To feel your legs shake because you are afraid, nervous, or in love.
Examples
- She went weak at the knees when she saw him smile.
- Public speaking makes me go weak at the knees.
on weak ground
1/ˈɔn wˈik ɡɹˈaʊnd/
idiom
In a poorly supported position
To be in a situation where your reasons are not strong enough.
Examples
- Legally, they are on weak ground with this claim.
- He realized he was on weak ground and changed the subject.
weak link
1/wˈik lˈɪŋk/
fixed phrase
Least strong part of group/system
The person or thing in a group that is not as good as the others and may cause problems.
Examples
- The goalkeeper was the team's weak link.
- A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
weak point
1/wˈik pˈɔɪnt/
fixed phrase
Area of least strength or ability
A part of something that is not good or strong.
Examples
- Her inability to delegate is her biggest weak point.
- We need to find the enemy's weak point before attacking.