Chinese word

脆弱

Pronunciation

Pinyincuì ruò

Meaning

  • adjectivefragile

Example

他的心很脆弱，容易受伤。tā de xīn hěn cuì ruò róng yì shòu shāng

His heart is very fragile and easily hurt.

Illustration for 脆弱 (fragile)

More examples

小型企业在经济下行时往往显得脆弱。xiǎo xíng qǐ yè zài jīng jì xià xíng shí wáng wǎng xiǎn de cuì ruò

Small businesses often appear vulnerable during an economic downturn.

Core concept

A condition that lacks inner strength, so outside pressure can easily break it, damage it, or throw it off balance.

Common phrases

  • 脆弱的关系cuì ruò de guān xì

    fragile relationship

  • 脆弱的生态系统cuì ruò de shēng tài xì tǒng

    fragile ecosystem

  • 脆弱的防线cuì ruò de fáng xiàn

    fragile line of defense

Similar words

薄弱bó ruò: Not well supported by evidence, ability, or strength, and therefore lacking firmness.
软弱ruǎn ruò: Lacking a strong will or firm attitude, and unable to resist pressure effectively.
虚弱xū ruò: Physically weak and lacking normal strength because of poor health or loss of vitality.
易碎yì suì: Likely to break or become chipped when pressed, struck, or handled roughly.

Definition in Chinese

缺乏稳固性或抵抗力，容易被外界因素损害或影响，既可用于描述物品易碎，也可用于描述人或制度在冲击下容易崩溃的状态。quē fá wěn gù xìng huò dǐ kàng lì róng yì bèi wài jiè yīn sù sǔn hài huò yíng xiǎng jì kě yòng yú miáo shù wù pǐn yì suì yě kě yòng yú miáo shù rén huò zhì dù zài chōng jī xià róng yì bēng kuì de zhuàng tài

Word origin

脆 (cuì, "brittle") + 弱 (ruò, "weak") combines physical ease of breaking with insufficient strength, forming a general word for poor resistance to harm.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this adjective can describe a person's heart or feelings, so it concerns susceptibility to hurt rather than a lack of skill.

Other meanings

  • vulnerableadjective
  • weakadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 脆弱性cuì ruò xìngvulnerabilitynoun
  • 脆弱感cuì ruò gǎnsense of vulnerabilitynoun

Word lists with this word