Japanese Conversation · Level 119
60 words
Japanese word
もろい
Pronunciation
Romajimoroi
Meaning
- i-adjectivebrittle
Example
このクッキーはもろいです。ko no ku kkī wa mo ro i de su
This cookie is brittle.
More examples
乾燥した木材は少しの力でもろくなります。kan sō shi ta moku zai wa suko shi no chikara de mo ro ku na ri ma su
Dried wood becomes brittle under slight pressure.
Core concept
Refers to something that lacks toughness and quickly breaks or collapses when pressure is applied.
Common phrases
もろい素材mo ro i so zai
brittle material
もろい骨mo ro i hone
fragile bones
もろい構造mo ro i kō zō
fragile structure
Similar words
弱いyowai: Does not have enough strength to resist force or remain stable.
Definition in Japanese
固くても粘りがなく、少しの力で折れたり砕けたりしやすい状態にある。kata ku te mo neba ri ga na ku suko shi no chikara de o re ta ri kuda ke ta ri shi ya su i jō tai ni a ru
Word origin
The native adjective もろい (moroi, "brittle") comes from the older adjective 脆し (moroshi, "brittle or weak"), with the classical ending changing to the modern form.
Usage tips
- In Japanese, もろい (moroi) can describe a person or relationship that lacks resilience, while English uses brittle in similar extended expressions such as brittle confidence.