How to say "fragile" in Japanese

• 脆弱ぜいじゃくCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'fragile' in the sense of weak and easily damaged or liable to collapse — economies, systems, structures, or emotional states. It describes something whose weakness makes it vulnerable to failure or breakdown.
  脆弱ぜいじゃくで力ちからの無ない、ただの人間にんげんなんだ。↗

  She's weak, powerless. A mere human.
• もろいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'fragile' in the physical sense: brittle things that break, snap, or crumble easily, like glass or ice. It can also describe frail health or feelings that are easily hurt; usually written in kana.
  彼かれが作つくった模型もけい飛行機ひこうきはもろかった。↗

  His paper plane was fragile.
• 軟弱なんじゃくCommon
  na-adjective, nounRarely the word you want for 'fragile': it really means soft and lacking firmness — soft ground, a weak constitution — or, of a person, weak-willed. It points to softness, not to things that break easily.

Use 「もろい」 for things that physically break or crumble easily, 脆弱 for weakness liable to collapse or failure, as of economies, systems, or emotions, and avoid 軟弱 for 'fragile', since it really means soft and lacking firmness.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 脆弱ぜいじゃくweak
• もろいbrittle
• 軟弱なんじゃくsoft and lacking firmness
• やわsoft
• 割れ物注意われものちゅういFragile
• 壊れ易いこわれやすいfragile
• 傷つきやすいきずつきやすいfragile
• フラジャイルfragile
• 割れ易いわれやすいbrittle
• 線が細いせんがほそいsensitive
• デリケートfragile
• 華奢きゃしゃfragile (e.g. furniture)
• さくいbrittle
• か細いかぼそいdelicate