情弱 (Joujaku): Japanese Internet Slang ‘Informationally Weak Man’

Pronunciation

Definition

情弱 (joujaku) is a Japanese slang term that describes people who are lacking in common information or knowledge. For instance, you’re pretty much joujaku if you buy MacBook Pro just to use social media, or if you are easily duped by dodgy ads online. This term is usually used to mock such an ignorant or gullible person, but sometimes people use it for themselves as self-deprecation humour, as shown in the example sentence 3 below. Note that it is basically an Internet slang term, but some people use it in real life.

Word Structure

情弱 is an abbreviation of “情報じょうほう弱者じゃくしゃ” (jouhou jakusya), which consists of the two words “情報じょうほう “ (jouhou) and “弱者じゃくしゃ” (jakusya). The first word means “information”, and the second word literally means “a week person” and it describes those who are in a poor, inferior situation.

Antonym: 情強 (joukyou)

Some people say “情じょう強きょう” (joukyou) to describe those who have copious knowledge and information about various topics. Here, “強きょう” (kyou) is an antonym of “弱じゃく” (jaku) and means “strong”. Note, however, that this word is much less common than Joujaku, and some people may not understand it.

Example Sentences

Ex1
お前まえNetflixも知しらないの？情弱すぎるだろ
Oh you don’t know Netflix? You’re too 情弱 (lacking in common knowledge).

Ex2
彼かれ、Twitterでいいねした内容をフォロワーが見れるのを知らなかったから、ひたすらお気に入りのエッチな画像をいいねしていたらしい。どんだけ情弱なんだよ。

He said he kept liking his favourite saucy photos on Twitter because he didn’t know that his followers could see what he liked. He’s so 情弱 (stupid).

Ex3
情弱だから、宿題しゅくだいが昨日きのうまでだったのを今いま知しった。
Because I’m 情弱 (lacking in proper information), I just found out that the assignment was due yesterday.

Synonyms: 無知むちな (ignorant)
Synonyms in English: lacking in information/knowledge, ignorant, unknowledgeable, stupid
Related words and phrases: 情報じょうほう (information), 弱じゃく (week), 強きょう (strong)