Translation guide
The state of being open to harm, attack, or emotional hurt. Japanese expresses this through nouns, adjectives, and verbs that distinguish physical, emotional, and systemic weakness.
Being open about feelings, easily hurt, or emotionally exposed
Describes emotional fragility or sensitivity, often used for someone easily hurt.
彼の心の脆さが露わになった。
His emotional vulnerability was exposed.
An adjective meaning 'easily hurt' or 'sensitive', commonly used for emotional vulnerability.
彼女は傷つきやすいから、言葉に気をつけて。
She's vulnerable, so be careful with your words.
General 'weakness', can imply emotional vulnerability in context.
自分の弱さを見せるのは勇気がいる。
It takes courage to show your vulnerability.
To open one's heart, implying emotional vulnerability.
彼に心を開くのは難しかった。
It was hard to be vulnerable with him.
Susceptibility to physical harm, attack, or damage
The standard term for vulnerability in security, systems, or physical structures. Formal and technical.
そのシステムには深刻な脆弱性がある。
The system has a serious vulnerability.
Weak point or vulnerability, used for people, plans, or defenses. Common in everyday and strategic contexts.
Defenselessness, being unguarded. Often used for physical or situational vulnerability.
An opening or gap in defenses; a moment of vulnerability. Common in martial arts and everyday speech.
一瞬の隙を狙われた。
They targeted a momentary vulnerability.
Being in a disadvantaged position, susceptible to hardship
A vulnerable position or disadvantaged status in society or a relationship.
弱い立場の人々を守るべきだ。
We should protect vulnerable people.
The weak or vulnerable in society; often used in social welfare contexts.
災害時に弱者が取り残された。
Vulnerable people were left behind during the disaster.
脆弱性 is technical and used for systems, software, or structural weaknesses. 弱点 is a general weak point and can be used for people, arguments, or strategies.
セキュリティの脆弱性を修正する。
Fix a security vulnerability.
彼の弱点は優しすぎることだ。
His vulnerability is that he's too kind.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all senses of 'vulnerability'. Choose based on context: emotional (脆さ, 傷つきやすい), security (脆弱性, 弱点), or social (弱い立場).
敵の弱点を突いた。
We exploited the enemy's vulnerability.
He was sleeping in a vulnerable state.