脆い
もろい
i-adjective
fragile, brittle
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 脆い | 脆くない |
| Past | 脆かった | 脆くなかった |
| て form | 脆くて | 脆くなくて |
| Adverbial | 脆く | — |
| Conditional ば | 脆ければ | 脆くなければ |
| Conditional たら | 脆かったら | 脆くなかったら |
1.
fragile, brittle, easily broken
Physically weak and easily damaged or destroyed.
この材料は脆くて壊れやすい。
This material is brittle and breaks easily.
脆い守備を突かれた。
Their weak defense was exploited.
Sports context
古い建物は地震で脆くも崩れた。
The old building crumbled easily in the earthquake.
2.
weak, vulnerable, easily moved
Emotionally or mentally easily affected. Often used for someone who cries easily or is easily swayed.
彼は涙に脆い。
He is easily moved to tears.
Common expression
精神的に脆いところがある。
There are aspects where I'm mentally fragile.
感動的な話に脆くて、すぐ泣いてしまう。
I'm a sucker for touching stories and cry right away.
脆い describes something that is inherently weak and easily broken — physically brittle or emotionally vulnerable.
FORMS:
- Adverb: 脆く (fragilely)
- Noun: 脆さ (fragility, brittleness)
SENSE 1 - PHYSICAL:
Refers to materials, structures, or defenses that break easily.
- 脆くも崩れる (collapse easily — 脆くも is a common adverbial expression)
- 脆い地盤 (fragile ground)
SENSE 2 - EMOTIONAL:
Describes someone who is easily moved or emotionally vulnerable.
- 涙に脆い (easily moved to tears — a very common expression)
- 精神的に脆い (mentally fragile)
CONTRAST:
- 壊れやすい: more neutral 'easy to break' without implying inherent weakness
- 弱い: general 'weak,' broader in scope
- 脆い: specifically suggests brittleness or vulnerability as an inherent quality
Related Words
Related:
弱い