schwerfällig
Translation
ponderous, clumsy, cumbersome, heavy
Examples
Seine Bewegungen waren langsam und schwerfällig.
His movements were slow and ponderous.
Die Bürokratie ist oft schwerfällig und langsam.
Bureaucracy is often cumbersome and slow.
Ein schwerfälliger Bär suchte nach Futter.
A lumbering bear was looking for food.
Grammar Patterns
((Adjective)) + Noun A ponderous elephant moves slowly.
Similar Words
Synonyms: unbeholfen, träge, plump; Antonyms: gewandt, flink, agil
Etymology
Composed of 'schwer' (heavy) and 'fällig' (related to 'fallen', to fall). Literally means something like 'heavy-falling'.
Memory Tips
Imagine something so heavy ('schwer') that it looks like it's about to fall ('fällig'), hence it moves clumsily.