schwach
Translation
weak, faint, poor (at something), feeble
Examples
Er ist zu schwach, die Kiste zu heben.
He is too weak to lift the box.
Der Kaffee ist mir zu schwach.
The coffee is too weak for me.
Sie hat eine schwache Stimme.
She has a faint voice.
Er ist schwach in Mathematik.
He is poor at mathematics.
Grammar Patterns
as a predicate: ((subject)) + sein + schwach. The old man is weak.
as an attribute: schwach + ((noun)). He has a weak handshake.
with preposition: schwach in+3. She is poor in physics.
Similar Words
Synonyms: kraftlos, gering, leise; Antonyms: stark, kräftig, laut
Etymology
From Old High German 'swehhan' (to smell, taste), related to the idea of something being 'off' or lacking substance.
Memory Tips
Think of someone so weak they can't even 'squash' a bug. 'Schwach' sounds a bit like 'squash'.