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弱不禁风

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: ruò bù jīn fēng
  • English Translation: Too weak to stand a gust of wind (extremely fragile)
  • Idiom Composition: 「弱」（Weak or frail）＋「不」（Not or cannot）＋「禁」（To endure or withstand (pronounced jīn in this context)）＋「风」（Wind）
  • Meaning: Describes a person who is physically so weak or delicate that they seem as if they would collapse in a light breeze. It is used to describe a sickly constitution, a slender and fragile physique, or metaphorically, something that is structurally or mentally unstable.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「弱不禁风」 contains the following nuances:

  • Pronunciation of 禁 (jīn): In this idiom, 禁 is pronounced in the first tone (jīn), meaning 'to endure' or 'to bear,' rather than the fourth tone (jìn) used in 'to prohibit' (禁止 - jìn zhǐ). This is a common mistake for learners.
  • Shift in Nuance: Historically, this phrase could describe a 'fragile beauty' (a common trope in classical literature). However, in modern Chinese, it is more likely to be used negatively to describe someone as 'wimpy' or 'unhealthy,' or even sarcastically.

3. Usage

「弱不禁风」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Physical Frailty: The most common usage, describing someone who is physically weak due to illness or a naturally poor constitution.
    • Example:「大病一场之后，他变得弱不禁风，连走路都需要人搀扶。」
      （After a serious illness, he became too weak to stand a gust of wind and needed help just to walk.）
  • Delicate Appearance: Describing a woman's slender and fragile appearance. Depending on the context, this can imply a 'delicate beauty' or a 'lack of reliability.'
    • Example:「别看她外表弱不禁风，其实是个意志坚强的女孩。」
      （Don't be fooled by her fragile appearance; she actually has a very strong will.）
  • Metaphorical Fragility: Used critically to describe economic foundations or organizational structures that cannot withstand external pressure.
    • Example:「这家公司的财务状况弱不禁风，一点市场波动就可能导致破产。」
      （The company's financial situation is extremely precarious, and even a small market fluctuation could lead to bankruptcy.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 现在的孩子大多缺乏锻炼，看起来有些弱不禁风。
    （Perhaps due to a lack of exercise, many children today look a bit feeble.）
  2. 那棵小树苗弱不禁风，需要在旁边立根棍子支撑。
    （That sapling is too delicate to withstand the wind, so we need to put a stake next to it for support.）
  3. 不要以为我是弱不禁风的大小姐，我也能吃苦。
    （Don't think of me as a frail young lady; I can handle hardships too.）
  4. 这种弱不禁风的借口，根本无法说服大家。
    （Such a flimsy excuse will never convince anyone.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Aesthetics in Classical Literature: In works like Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), characters like Lin Daiyu (林黛玉) were celebrated for their sickly, delicate beauty. In that era, 弱不禁风 (ruò bù jīn fēng) wasn't necessarily an insult. Today, however, health and vitality are preferred, so use caution when applying this to people.
  • Literary Origins: The phrase appears in the works of Tang Dynasty (唐朝) poet Du Fu (杜甫) and Song Dynasty (宋朝) poet Lu You (陆游). Originally, it was used to describe flowers or clouds swaying in the wind before it became a standard description for people.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

弱不禁风 (ruò bù jīn fēng) literally means 'too weak to endure the wind.' While it traditionally described the delicate beauty of women in classical literature, in modern contexts, it often carries a critical nuance of being 'wimpy' or 'feeble.' It can also be applied metaphorically to organizations or arguments that lack substance or resilience. Note that 禁 (jīn) is pronounced in the first tone here, meaning 'to endure.'

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每天成语 | 弱不禁风