弱(ruò) - weak in Mandarin

弱 (ruò) means weak, and it is the direct opposite of 强 (qiáng), "strong". It covers physical weakness after illness, a weak wifi signal, a shaky foundation in a subject, or a team that simply is not very good this season.

这个信号太弱了 (zhège xìnhào tài ruò le), "this signal is too weak", shows how naturally 弱 (ruò) extends from bodies to abstract things like connections and foundations - if it can be strong or weak on a scale, 弱 (ruò) is the word for the low end.

弱 (ruò) also combines into 弱点 (ruòdiǎn), "weak point, weakness", and 减弱 (jiǎnruò), "to weaken, to diminish" - both keep the core meaning intact and are worth recognising once you have this character down.