Translation guide
The English word 'fragile' can refer to physical objects that break easily, delicate emotional states, unstable systems, or weak health. Japanese uses different words depending on what is fragile.
Describing items that can easily break, shatter, or be damaged when dropped or handled.
The most common and general way to say something is physically fragile or easily broken. Literally 'easy to break'.
This vase is fragile, so please carry it carefully.
Specifically for things that crack or shatter, like glass or ceramics. 'Easy to crack/break'.
Those plates are fragile, so don't stack them.
Implies brittleness; something that breaks or crumbles easily under stress. Often used for materials like dry wood, biscuits, or weak structures.
Loanword from English 'delicate'. Used for items that need careful handling, often in instructions or on packaging.
Describing a person who is easily hurt, upset, or emotionally unstable.
Literally 'easy to be hurt'. The most direct way to say emotionally fragile or sensitive.
Describing a person whose health is weak, easily becomes ill, or is in a delicate state.
A formal or medical term for physical weakness or frailty. Often used for elderly or chronically ill people.
Describing something abstract that is unstable and could easily collapse or fail.
Also used for abstract things like peace, balance, or trust that can easily break down.
壊れやすい is the most general for 'fragile' (easy to break). 割れやすい is specifically for things that crack or shatter (glass, ceramics). 脆い implies brittleness and can be used for both physical and abstract things, but often carries a nuance of weakness or lack of resilience.
Glass is fragile (shatters easily).
Please handle with care; the contents are fragile.
この材質は脆くて、すぐに折れてしまう。
This material is fragile and breaks easily.
This product is fragile, so please handle with care.
He is fragile, so be careful with your words.
Means delicate or sensitive. Can describe a person's emotional nature or a nuanced situation. Often positive or neutral.
She has a fragile heart.
Also used for emotional fragility, implying a weak or easily broken spirit. Can sound slightly negative.
He has a fragile side mentally.
Loanword from English 'naive', but in Japanese often means emotionally sensitive or fragile, not just innocent.
He is fragile, so he can't handle criticism well.
My grandmother is fragile and often hospitalized.
Specifically means sickly or prone to illness. Common in everyday speech.
He was fragile as a child.
Describes a weak, frail appearance or manner. Can be used for someone who looks fragile.
She has a fragile build.
The peace between the two countries is still fragile.
Means unstable or precarious. Often used for economic or political situations.
The economic recovery is still fragile.
Implies something is in a dangerous or critical state, likely to fail. Can be used for fragile balances.
The agreement rests on a fragile balance.
This toy is fragile (breaks easily).
His resolve was fragile.
The loanword フラジャイル (furajairu) is mainly used on shipping labels or in technical contexts. It sounds unnatural when describing a person's emotional state or health. Use 傷つきやすい or 虚弱 instead.
彼女は自尊心が傷つきやすい。
She has a fragile ego.
The ceasefire is fragile.