脆弱
ceoi3 joek6
The Cantonese word for vulnerable is 脆弱 (ceoi3 joek6).
脆弱 is used to describe both physical fragility and emotional vulnerability.
Meaning: exposed to attack (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 脆 (ceoi3), meaning brittle or fragile and 弱 (joek6), meaning weak.
Which one should you use?
While 脆弱 emphasizes being fragile or weak, the phrase 易受攻擊 (ji6 sau6 gung1 gik3) is more specifically used for being 'vulnerable to attack' in a strategic or physical sense. Additionally, if you want to convey vulnerability in terms of physical harm or being easily injured, you can use 易受傷 (ji6 sau6 soeng1).
How do you pronounce it?
ceoi3 joek6
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the character 脆 (ceoi3) in 脆弱 is the same one used to describe the texture of something 'crispy' or 'crunchy' in food, like a cracker.
- To express that someone is 'too vulnerable' in a protective sense, Cantonese speakers might use 太天真 (taai3 tin1 zan1), which literally means 'too naive'.
- When using 脆弱 to describe a person, it can sometimes carry a nuance of being 'too sensitive' in a way that sounds slightly condescending in certain social circles.
Examples in context
- 佢而家嘅心理狀態好脆弱。keoi5 ji4 gaa1 ge3 san1 lei5 zong6 taai3 hou2 ceoi3 joek6.His psychological state is very vulnerable right now.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a difficult breakup.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan嘉欣，你最近好似好脆弱。Gaa1 han1, nei5 zeoi3 gan6 hou2 ci5 hou2 ceoi3 joek3.Ka Han, you seem very vulnerable lately.
- 家明 Ka Ming係啊，我真係好難捱。hai6 aa3, ngo5 zan1 hai6 hou2 naan4 ngai4.Yeah, it's really hard for me to get through this.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan唔緊要，我會陪住你。m4 gan2 jiu3, ngo5 wui5 pui4 zyu3 nei5.It's okay, I will stay by your side.
- 家明 Ka Ming多謝你，家明。do1 ze6 nei5, Gaa1 ming4.Thank you, Ka Ming.
