The word 软弱 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a similar quality to create a layered, more nuanced concept. The first character, 软 (ruǎn), means "soft" or "pliable", like a soft material. The second, 弱 (ruò), means "weak" or "feeble" in strength. By joining them, the idea transcends mere physical description; it evokes a state where a lack of internal firmness (softness of will or resolve) leads to an overall condition of being easily overcome, suggesting a moral or psychological fragility as much as a physical one.