vulnerable
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vulnerable
Describes a person or living being that can be easily hurt or offended emotionally or physically. It refers to a high sensitivity to criticism, attacks, or pain.
Nach der Trennung fühlte er sich besonders verletzlich und zog sich zurück.
After the breakup, he felt especially vulnerable and withdrew.
vulnerable
Describes a thing, system, or position that is unprotected and easy to attack or damage. Synonymous with 'angreifbar' (open to attack) or 'verwundbar' (vulnerable).
Die Computersysteme des Unternehmens waren ohne eine gute Firewall sehr verletzlich.
The company's computer systems were very vulnerable without a good firewall.
The adjective 'verletzlich' (vulnerable) is derived from the verb 'verletzen' (to injure/hurt). The ending '-lich' expresses here that someone or something has the quality of being easily injured or hurt.
Kleine Kinder sind im Straßenverkehr besonders verletzlich.
Small children are especially vulnerable in traffic.
In emotional contexts, 'verletzlich' (vulnerable) is often combined with reflexive verbs like 'sich fühlen' (to feel), 'sich zeigen' (to show oneself), or 'sich machen' (to make oneself). It then describes a state or deliberate behavior.
Er hat keine Angst davor, sich verletzlich zu zeigen.
He is not afraid to show himself as vulnerable.
When referring to systems or abstract things, 'verletzlich' (vulnerable) is often used with nouns such as 'System' (system), 'Position' (position), 'Struktur' (structure), or 'Schwäche' (weakness). It then describes a vulnerable point.
Ohne aktuelle Updates ist die Software verletzlich für Angriffe.
Without current updates, the software is vulnerable to attacks.
sensitive
Both words can describe a person who is easily hurt by criticism. „Empfindlich“ emphasizes reacting quickly or possibly excessively, while „verletzlich“ highlights the risk of actually being hurt emotionally. „Empfindlich“ is more appropriate for an observed reaction, while „verletzlich“ refers more to general inner vulnerability.
Nach der Trennung fühlte sich Paul besonders verletzlich und nahm jede Kritik schwer.
After the breakup, Paul felt especially vulnerable and took every criticism hard.
Paul reagiert empfindlich, sobald jemand seine Arbeit kritisiert.
Paul reacts sensitively as soon as someone criticizes his work.
