‘弱小’ (ruò xiǎo) is an adjective meaning 'weak and small', used primarily to describe nations, ethnic groups, organizations, or communities that lack political influence, military power, economic resources, or population size. The character 弱 (ruò) means 'weak' — conveying vulnerability, fragility, or lack of strength — while 小 (xiǎo) means 'small', suggesting limited scale, scope, or visibility. Together, they form a compound that emphasizes both qualitative weakness and quantitative smallness, often carrying connotations of underdog status or marginalization.

This term appears frequently in political, historical, and diplomatic discourse — for example, when referring to developing countries, indigenous peoples, or minority social movements. It is not typically used for individuals (e.g., you wouldn’t say a child is 弱小), nor for inanimate objects unless metaphorically framed in socio-political contexts. While neutral in dictionary definition, it can carry empathetic or protective undertones depending on context — especially in official Chinese rhetoric emphasizing support for ‘弱小国家’ (weak and small countries).