Translation guide
The English word "susceptible" describes being easily affected, influenced, or harmed by something. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; instead, different expressions are used depending on whether you mean physically prone to illness, emotionally sensitive, easily influenced, or vulnerable to damage. This guide organizes the most natural Japanese ways to express these nuances.
Expressing that someone easily catches colds, gets sick, or is vulnerable to a disease.
This is the most common and natural way to say 'susceptible to (an illness)'. It uses the verb かかる (to catch/contract) in its stem form plus やすい (easy to).
I am susceptible to colds.
Children are susceptible to the flu.
Literally 'weak', but commonly used to mean susceptible to something, especially illnesses or physical conditions. Often used with 〜に弱い.
He is susceptible to heat.
I am susceptible to the cold.
More formal and specific to infections. Used in medical or technical contexts.
The elderly are susceptible to this virus.
Describing someone who is easily moved, influenced by emotions, or sensitive to criticism.
Means 'easily influenced' and is the most direct equivalent for emotional or psychological susceptibility. It is a compound of 影響 (influence) + される (passive) + やすい (easy).
She is susceptible to other people's opinions.
Young people are susceptible to media influence.
Means 'sensitive' and is often used when someone is susceptible to emotional stimuli, criticism, or subtle changes. Can be used with 〜に敏感.
Literally 'easily hurt', used for emotional vulnerability. It implies being susceptible to getting one's feelings hurt.
He has a susceptible personality (easily hurt).
Describing someone who is easily convinced, swayed by arguments, or tempted by offers.
Means 'easily persuaded'. It combines 説得 (persuasion) + される (passive) + やすい.
He is susceptible to sweet talk.
Literally 'easily swept away', meaning easily influenced by others or circumstances, often without resistance. Very common in casual speech.
He is susceptible to peer pressure.
Again 'weak', but here used in the sense of having a weakness for something tempting, like alcohol or flattery. Pattern: 〜に弱い.
Expressing that something is easily damaged, affected by conditions, or prone to failure.
A formal and precise way to say 'susceptible to the influence/effects of something'. Suitable for technical or academic contexts.
This material is susceptible to moisture.
The economy is susceptible to policy changes.
A versatile and common pattern meaning 'weak against' or 'susceptible to'. Used for physical objects, systems, and abstract concepts.
This machine is susceptible to water.
Means 'fragile' or 'brittle', but can be used metaphorically for things that are easily broken or susceptible to failure. Often implies inherent weakness.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'susceptible'. Using a dictionary form like 感受性のある (kanjusei no aru) is possible but sounds overly technical and unnatural in most everyday contexts. Instead, use the patterns above that match the specific type of susceptibility.
a susceptible person (unnatural in casual speech)
〜やすい attaches to verb stems and means 'easy to do' or 'prone to'. 〜に弱い means 'weak to' and is used with nouns. For illnesses, 〜にかかりやすい is standard; for temptations or physical weaknesses, 〜に弱い is more natural. They are not always interchangeable.
susceptible to colds (first is natural, second is less common)
彼は批判に敏感だ。
He is susceptible to criticism.
Children are susceptible to their parents' moods.
流されやすい人は注意が必要だ。
People who are easily influenced need to be careful.
I am susceptible to flattery.
He is susceptible to alcohol (can't hold his drink).
その計画は批判に弱い。
The plan is susceptible to criticism.
His success was susceptible to collapse.