The Suffix of Weakness: Exploring -Asthenia

-asthenia

(suffix)

Etymology: From Greek asthéneia (ἀσθένεια), meaning “weakness” or “lack of strength,” derived from a- (“without”) + sthenos (“strength, vigor”).

Definition:

1. Medical: Denotes weakness, debility, or loss of strength—particularly used in compound medical terms referring to physical, nervous, or functional exhaustion.

2. Extended use: Indicates fragility or deficiency in vitality, energy, or resilience, whether of the body, mind, or system.

Examples:

• Neurasthenia — nervous exhaustion or weakness.

• Myasthenia — muscular weakness or fatigue.

• Asthenopia — weakness of the eyes (visual fatigue).

Figurative use:
In broader or metaphorical contexts, -asthenia can connote spiritual or cultural frailty, as in moral asthenia or civilizational asthenia—the gradual loss of vitality or conviction in a society or worldview.

See also: -sthenic, -algia, -pathy

-asthenia fits the vibe of a limited merch-run item from The China Show, like their “Hand Machine Ghost” design. In Chinese, “shǒujī kǒng” (手机控) is a slang term for a phone addict—someone glued to their screen 24/7, like a ghost chained to a shimmering device that slowly drains their soul. The China Show is a program focused on current affairs and investigative commentary about China, combining journalism, satire, and political analysis. The hosts explore topics such as propaganda, infrastructure failures, censorship, and human rights abuses, often contrasting official Chinese government narratives with on-the-ground evidence.