脆弱

• Pinyin: cuì ruò
• Hanzi breakdown: 脆 = 月 (flesh) + 危 (fragile, phonetic); 弱 = 弓 + 弓 (weak)

Meaning

Fragile; vulnerable; delicate. Describes something easily broken, damaged, or emotionally sensitive.

Used for physical fragility (glass, ecosystems), emotional vulnerability (心理脆弱), or structural weakness (经济脆弱). Opposite of 坚强 (strong). Can describe people, relationships, systems, or materials.

Examples

1. 她看起来很坚强，其实内心非常脆弱。 She looks strong, but she's actually very vulnerable inside.
2. 这个地区的生态系统十分脆弱，任何开发都需要谨慎评估。 The ecosystem in this region is extremely fragile, and any development requires careful assessment.
3. 经济形势脆弱，企业和政府都在密切关注市场变化。 The economic situation is fragile, and both businesses and the government are closely watching market changes.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, systems, description

Tone: sympathetic

Do Say

• 人在生病时心理会变得脆弱。(People become emotionally vulnerable when they're sick.)
• 不要暴露自己脆弱的一面。(Don't reveal your vulnerable side.)

Don't Say

• 钢铁很脆弱 (Steel is strong, not fragile — 脆弱 contradicts the nature of steel)

Origin & History

Compound of 脆 (crisp, brittle) + 弱 (weak). Together describing something that breaks easily or lacks strength.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal