gebrechlich
Translation
frail, feeble, fragile
Examples
Der alte Mann ist sehr gebrechlich.
The old man is very frail.
Das alte Porzellan ist gebrechlich.
The old porcelain is fragile.
Grammar Patterns
((to be)) gebrechlich to be frail/fragile His health is very frail.
Similar Words
Synonyms: schwach, hinfällig; Antonyms: stark, robust, stabil
Etymology
Derived from the verb 'brechen' (to break). The prefix 'ge-' and suffix '-lich' form an adjective describing the quality of being 'breakable'.
Memory Tips
Think of the English word 'break'. 'Gebrechlich' describes something that can easily 'break', like an elderly person's health or old glass.