취약한
chwiyakhan
The English word "vulnerable" can be translated into Korean in several ways depending on the context. If unsure, use 취약한 (chwiyakhan). Wiktionary also lists 상처 입기 쉬운 (sangcheo ipgi swiun) and 연약한 (yeonyakhan).
Meaning: exposed to attack (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 취약한 | chwiyakhan |
| 상처 입기 쉬운 | sangcheo ipgi swiun |
| 연약한 | yeonyakhan |
In Korean, the choice of word for "vulnerable" depends entirely on whether you are describing a technical weakness, an emotional state or physical frailty.
Which one should you use?
취약한 is used for technical, systemic or structural vulnerabilities, such as a weakness in a security system or a social structure. In contrast, 상처 입기 쉬운 is used when describing someone who is emotionally vulnerable or easily hurt. If you want to describe someone as being physically frail or having a delicate, weak nature, use 연약한.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the adjective 취약한 is 취약하다, which means "to be vulnerable".
How do you pronounce it?
chwiyakhan
Did you know?
- When using 상처 입기 쉬운 to describe emotional vulnerability, Koreans often use the verb 입다, which literally means 'to wear' or 'to put on' clothes, to describe 'wearing' a wound.
- The word 상처 can surprisingly be found in two completely unrelated contexts: one refers to a physical or emotional 'wound', while the other is a rare Sino-Korean term for 'losing a wife'.
- While English speakers might say they are 'feeling vulnerable', a Korean speaker describing physical frailty with 연약한 might be describing a quality that is seen as both a weakness and a delicate, aesthetic beauty in traditional contexts.
Examples in context
- 그 사람은 취약한 위치에 있다.That person is in a vulnerable position.
- 이 시스템은 보안에 취약한 상태입니다.i siseutemeun boane chwiyakhan sangtaeimnida.This system is in a vulnerable state regarding security.
- 그 지역은 홍수에 매우 취약한 편이에요.geu jiyeogeun hongsue maeu chwiyakhan pyeonieyo.That area is quite vulnerable to flooding.
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are discussing their computer passwords.
- 민준 Min-jun비밀번호가 너무 짧으면 취약한 거 알지?bimilbeon-hoga neomu jjal-eumyeon chwiyak-han geo alji?You know it's vulnerable if the password is too short, right?
- 민지 Min-ji맞아, 그래서 방금 길게 바꿨어.maja, geuraeseo bang-geum gil-ge bakkwosseo.True, that's why I just changed it to a longer one.
- 민준 Min-jun특수문자도 넣어야 더 안전할 거야.teuksu-munja-do neoeoya deo anjeon-hal geoya.It will be safer if you add special characters too.
- 민지 Min-ji알겠어, 민준아. 고마워.algesseo, Minjun-a. gomawo.I got it, Minjun. Thanks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vulnerable” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 상처, CC BY-SA 4.0.
