vulnerabili

Vulnerabili is the Italian plural form of the adjective vulnerabile, meaning vulnerable. It is used to describe people or things that are at risk of harm or have heightened susceptibility to adverse conditions. In Italian policy and social discourse, the phrase popolazioni vulnerabili denotes groups considered at greater risk and in need of protection or specialized support, such as children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, refugees, or economically disadvantaged individuals.

Etymology and grammar: The term derives from Latin vulnerabilis, from vulnus meaning “wound,” with the suffix -abile meaning capable of. The Italian cognate of the English “vulnerable” is vulnerabile; vulnerabili is the masculine or feminine plural form and agrees with the noun it modifies, as in persone vulnerabili.

Usage notes: While vulnerabili is common in Italian, it rarely appears as a stand-alone noun; more natural usage is le persone vulnerabili or popolazioni vulnerabili. In English-language contexts, Italian terms are usually translated, so you might see “vulnerable” or “vulnerable populations” rather than the Italian form, unless describing bilingual or Italian-language material.

See also: vulnerability, vulnerable population, risk assessment, social protection, disability rights.