hư nhược

Vietnamese

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 虛弱, composed of 虛 (“empty”) and 弱 (“weak”).

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [hɨ˧˧ ɲɨək̚˧˨ʔ]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [hɨ˧˧ ɲɨək̚˨˩ʔ]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [hɨ˧˧ ɲɨək̚˨˩˨]

Adjective

hư nhược

1. weakened; enfeebled; debilitated (especially of health or anatomy)

Usage notes

This term is used almost solely in the context of traditional medicine.