verletzlich

vulnerable; easily hurt

adjective fer-LETS-likh Rare

Also means

fragile emotionally

Usage Note

verletzlich describes emotional or psychological vulnerability. In modern usage influenced by psychology, it often appears in contexts of emotional openness: verletzlich sein (to allow oneself to be vulnerable) is seen as courage, not weakness.

Examples

"Unter seiner harten Schale war er eigentlich sehr verletzlich."

Natural Translation

Beneath his tough exterior he was actually very vulnerable.

Literal Translation

Under his hard shell was he actually very vulnerable.

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