faible

Faible is a French adjective meaning lacking strength, power, or intensity. It is used to describe physical frailty, limited health, low quantities or degrees, and underwhelming performance or results. The term applies to people, objects, or conditions, for example une constitution faible (a weak constitution), une lumière faible (low light), or un revenu faible (low income). It can also describe measurements or qualities, such as un taux de chômage faible (a low unemployment rate) or une consommation d’énergie faible (low energy consumption).

Grammar and forms: Faible is invariable for gender, with the masculine and feminine forms both written faible; the plural form is faibles. The comparative is plus faible and the superlative le plus faible. The adverbial form is faiblement, as in agir faiblement (to act weakly). The noun faiblesse means weakness, while un faible can refer to a weak person or, in older or colloquial use, a coward.

Usage and nuance: In everyday French, faible conveys not just physical strength but degree and sufficiency. It contrasts with concepts like fort (strong) or élevé (high). It is common in scientific, economic, and everyday language to describe levels, capacities, or outcomes that are lower than expected or desired, such as une lumière faible, une énergie faible, un revenu faible, or un score faible.

Etymology and related terms: The word originates in Old French and is cognate with related Romance-language terms that express low strength or quantity. Related forms include faiblesse (weakness), faiblement (weakly), and the antonyms fort and élevé.