Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 26/26

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.

    Examples

    --:--

    • 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.'

      • 美容師(びようし)に「髪(かみ)を１(いち)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.

        • あと１分(いっぷん)弱(じゃく)で目的(もくてき)地(ち)に到着(とうちゃく)するところで、エンジンが壊(こわ)れて車(くるま)が動(うご)かなくなった。

          With just less than a minute left before arriving at our destination, the engine broke down and the car stopped moving.

          • 客(きゃく)：「リビングはどのくらいの広(ひろ)さですか？」仲介者(ちゅうかいしゃ)：「１０畳(じゅうじょう)弱(じゃく)ですね。」

            Customer: 'How big is the living room?' Agent: 'It's just less than 10 tatami mats big.'

            • 海水(かいすい)温度(おんど)が３０(さんじゅう)℃(ど)弱(じゃく)になるとサンゴは色(いろ)を失(うしな)い、やがて死滅(しめつ)することもあります。

              When the seawater temperature reaches just less than 30°C, coral loses its color and can eventually die off.

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