brüchig
brittle
Describes a material that is brittle and breaks or falls apart easily.
EXAMPLE
Altes Plastik wird mit der Zeit oft brüchig.
Old plastic often becomes brittle over time.
brüchig
brittle / shaky
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Meanings
brüchig
shaky
Describes a voice that sounds trembling and uncertain because of strong emotion such as grief or excitement.
EXAMPLE
Mit brüchiger Stimme bedankte er sich für die Hilfe.
With a shaky voice, he thanked them for their help.
brüchig
fragile
(figurative) Describes something abstract, such as a relationship, peace, or agreement, that is unstable and on the verge of failing.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem erneuten Streit war der Waffenstillstand brüchig geworden.
After the renewed argument, the ceasefire had become fragile.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'brüchig' (brittle) is derived from the verb 'brechen' (to break). It describes the quality of something that breaks or shatters easily.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, das alte Holzbrett ist sehr brüchig.
Careful, the old wooden board is very brittle.
Context clues
The noun that 'brüchig' describes reveals the meaning. Is it a material ('Holz' — wood, 'Knochen' — bones), a voice ('Stimme' — voice), or something abstract ('Frieden' — peace, 'Beziehung' — relationship)?
EXAMPLE
Die alten Knochen des Skeletts waren porös und brüchig.
The old bones of the skeleton were porous and brittle.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'brüchig' often describes materials, as in 'brüchiges Eis' (brittle ice), 'brüchiges Gestein' (brittle rock), 'brüchige Knochen' (brittle bones), or also 'brüchige Fingernägel' (brittle fingernails).
EXAMPLE
Im Winter warnen Schilder vor dem brüchigen Eis auf dem See.
In winter, signs warn about the brittle ice on the lake.
Fixed collocation
The combination 'brüchige Stimme' (shaky voice) is a very fixed expression. It is almost always used to show that someone is moved by emotions such as sadness, fear, or being touched.
EXAMPLE
Mit brüchiger Stimme gestand er seine Fehler ein.
With a shaky voice, he admitted his mistakes.
Compare with
brüchig vs zerbrechlich
fragile
A zerbrechlich relationship seems delicate and can easily be damaged by further pressure. A brüchig relationship is already clearly unstable and is more likely to be close to falling apart. Both words are possible, but brüchig emphasizes the already apparent crisis more strongly.
brüchig
Nach vielen ungelösten Konflikten ist ihre Beziehung inzwischen brüchig.
After many unresolved conflicts, their relationship has become shaky.
zerbrechlich
Nach dem ersten großen Streit wirkt ihre Beziehung noch zerbrechlich.
After their first major argument, their relationship still seems fragile.
In real life
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