French Conversation · Level 31
89 words
French word
vulnérable
Pronunciation
IPA/vylneʁabl/
Meaning
- adjectivevulnerable
Example
Après la critique, il se sent vulnérable.
After the criticism, he feels vulnerable.
More examples
Il faut protéger les personnes vulnérables pendant la canicule.
Vulnerable people must be protected during the heat wave.
Core concept
A person or exposed weak spot that criticism or harm can reach easily.
Common phrases
une personne vulnérable
a vulnerable person
groupe vulnérable
a vulnerable group
Similar words
sensible: Quickly affected emotionally, even by small things.
susceptible: Easily offended or hurt by criticism and jokes.
fragile: Likely to break or be damaged easily.
Definition in French
Qui se laisse facilement atteindre ou affecter par la douleur, la critique ou une atteinte, ayant peu de défense.
Word origin
French vulnérable comes from Latin vulnerabilis, based on vulnerare, "to wound," from vulnus, "wound."
Usage tips
- Vulnérable commonly takes à before its cause, as in vulnérable à la critique.
Other meanings
- fragileadjective
- defenselessadjective
Opposites
- invulnérableinvulnerableadjective
Related words
- vulnérabilitévulnerabilitynoun