In Japanese, yowai (弱い) literally translates to ‘weak.’ However, when used as slang, it carries nuanced meanings depending on the context. It can describe someone who cannot handle their liquor, someone who is bad at a specific hobby, or even someone who is easily affected by external circumstances.
The Meaning of Yowai
While the adjective yowai is standard Japanese, it is frequently used as slang in casual conversation. The most common colloquial usage is osake ga yowai, meaning one has a very low tolerance for alcohol. Beyond that, you might hear gamers say yowai to mock an opponent who isn’t skilled at a game.
Friend A: Nomikai ikou yo! (Let’s go for drinks!)
Friend B: Gomen, watashi osake yowai kara… (Sorry, I’m a lightweight when it comes to alcohol…)
Pro-Tip: Be careful when using yowai to describe people’s skills or personality directly to their face, as it can sound quite harsh or rude! If you want to soften your tone, try saying nigate (to be bad at/not good at) instead.
Interested in more slang? Check out how to describe hardcore fans with our guide on Gachi-zei or learn about online communication with our guide on Meru-tomo.
