schwerfällig
Translation
ponderous, clumsy, cumbersome, lumbering
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
From 'schwer' (heavy) and 'fällig' (related to 'fallen', to fall). It literally suggests something 'heavy-falling'.
Memory Tips
Picture an object so heavy ('schwer') it seems ready to fall ('fällig'), causing it to move in a ponderous way.