weakling
der Schwächling, die Schwächlinge
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weakling
A derogatory term for a physically weak person.
Weil er beim Sport kaum Kraft hatte, verspotteten ihn die anderen als Schwächling.
Because he had hardly any strength during sports, the others mocked him as a weakling.
weakling
A derogatory term for a person who shows little courage, willpower, or assertiveness.
Sie hielt ihn für einen Schwächling, weil er aus Angst vor Widerspruch nie seine eigene Meinung vertrat.
She thought he was a weakling because, afraid of being contradicted, he never stood up for his own opinion.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Schwächlinge |
| genitive | des Schwächlings |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Schwächling | die Schwächlinge |
| accusative | den Schwächling | die Schwächlinge |
| dative | dem Schwächling | den Schwächlingen |
| genitive | des Schwächlings | der Schwächlinge |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Schwächling' (weakling) consists of 'schwach' (weak) and the ending '-ling'. Here, the ending refers to a person and reinforces the derogatory character of the word.
Niemand möchte im Team als Schwächling gelten.
Nobody wants to be seen as a weakling on the team.
'Schwächling' (weakling) is clearly derogatory and can hurt someone. The word therefore mainly occurs in insults, arguments, or critical portrayals.
Er wurde wütend, als sein Mitschüler ihn vor der ganzen Klasse als Schwächling bezeichnete.
He got angry when his classmate called him a weakling in front of the whole class.
You can often tell whether physical weakness or a lack of courage is meant from the surrounding words: sports, strength, and physical exertion point to the physical meaning; fear, opinions, and decisions point to the meaning relating to character.
Nach wenigen Minuten beim Gewichtheben nannten sie ihn spöttisch einen Schwächling.
After just a few minutes of weightlifting, they mockingly called him a weakling.
Weil er bei jeder schwierigen Entscheidung nachgab, hielten sie ihn für einen Schwächling.
Because he gave in whenever he faced a difficult decision, they thought he was a weakling.
