脆弱

• Reading: ぜいじゃく
• Romaji: zeijaku
• Kanji breakdown: 脆 (zei) — brittle, fragile; 弱 (jaku) — weak
• Pronunciation: /ze.i.dʑa.kɯ/

Meaning

Fragile; vulnerable; frail; weak. Lacking resilience or strength to withstand pressure or attack.

A na-adjective used in formal and written contexts to describe physical fragility, psychological weakness, or systemic vulnerability. Particularly common in security (セキュリティの脆弱性 — security vulnerability), policy, and technical discourse. 脆弱性 (vulnerability) is the nominalized form. Carries a more analytical, evaluative tone than simply 弱い.

Examples

1. このシステムはサイバー攻撃に対して脆弱であることが判明した。 It was found that this system is vulnerable to cyber attacks.
2. 高齢者は感染症に対して脆弱な立場にある。 Elderly people are in a vulnerable position with respect to infectious diseases.
3. 脆弱な経済基盤を立て直すには、長期的な投資が不可欠だ。 Long-term investment is essential to rebuild a fragile economic foundation.

Usage Guide

Context: security, policy, medicine, economics

Tone: analytical

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 脆 (zei) means brittle or fragile, 弱 (jaku) means weak. Together: 'brittle and weak.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Universal