Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 4/26

弱(じゃく)Just less than

Structure

Number + Counter + 弱(じゃく)

Details

    About 弱

    弱(じゃく) is a suffix which is used to say that something is a little less than a certain figure. When used in this way, it will be directly attached to a counter in the pattern of a number + counter + 弱(じゃく).

    As 弱(じゃく) literally means 'weak', it implies the number is too 'weak' to reach the full count. It will usually be by a very small margin.

    Caution

    A minority of speakers, especially younger speakers, will interpret 弱(じゃく) as meaning a little over a number, instead of a little under that number.

    This is because they are interpreting it as the number 'plus a little more'. It is important to note that this is still a minority interpretation, although it is becoming more common.

    This interpretation is still widely considered wrong, so in formal or test settings (such as the JLPT) 弱(じゃく) will not be used in this way.

    Vocab Coverage

    All Bunpro Vocab that appears on this item.

    Examples

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    • １０人(じゅうにん)弱(じゃく)で大縄跳(おおなわと)びをしたが、３回(さんかい)も続(つづ)かなかった。

      We played group jump rope with a little less than 10 people, but we couldn't even keep it going for three jumps.

      • 前(まえ)を歩(ある)いている人(ひと)のカバンのチャックが５(ご)ミリ弱(じゃく)開(あ)いている。

        The zipper on the bag of the person walking in front of me is open a little less than 5 millimeters.

        • 生徒(せいと)：「熱(ねつ)が３９度(さんじゅうきゅうど)弱(じゃく)あるので今日(きょう)は授業(じゅぎょう)をお休(やす)みします。」先生(せんせい)：「お大事(だいじ)にしてくださいね。」

          Student: 'I have a fever of a little less than 39 degrees, so I will take the day off from class today.' Teacher: 'Please take care of yourself.'

          • あと５(ご)ページ弱(じゃく)で読(よ)み終(お)わるところだった本(ほん)に牛乳(ぎゅうにゅう)をこぼし、終(お)わりを読(よ)めなくなった。

            I spilled milk on a book that I was going to finish reading in a little less than 5 pages, and I couldn't read the ending.

            • 美容師(びようし)に「髪(かみ)を１(いっ)センチ弱(じゃく)切(き)ってください。」と伝(つた)えても、いつも２(に)センチくらいは平気(へいき)で切(き)られるのは何(なん)でだろう。

              I wonder why even when I tell the hairdresser, 'Please cut just less than 1 centimeter of my hair', they always casually cut off about 2 centimeters.

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