gebrechlich
frail
Physically weak and unable to cope with much because of age or illness.
EXAMPLE
Der gebrechliche Mann ging langsam mit einem Stock.
The frail man walked slowly with a cane.
gebrechlich
frail
gebrechlich – gebrechlicher – am gebrechlichsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry gebrechlich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | gebrechlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | gebrechlicher |
| superlative | am gebrechlichsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to gebrechlich.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to gebrechlich.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to gebrechlich.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
'Gebrechlich' (frail) is often used with people or their bodies. Typical collocations include 'ein gebrechlicher Mensch' (a frail person), 'ein gebrechlicher alter Mann' (a frail old man), and 'ein gebrechlicher Körper' (a frail body).
EXAMPLE
Die gebrechliche Frau wurde von ihrer Tochter zum Arzt begleitet.
The frail woman was accompanied to the doctor by her daughter.
Typical verbs
'Gebrechlich' (frail) is often used with verbs such as 'wirken' (to seem), 'sein' (to be), and 'werden' (to become). This describes a physical condition that is recognizable from the outside or that develops over time.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Krankheit wirkte er sehr gebrechlich.
After the long illness, he seemed very frail.
Register and style
'Gebrechlich' (frail) occurs especially in written or descriptive texts. It usually refers to long-lasting physical weakness and is often used to describe older or ill people.
EXAMPLE
Im hohen Alter wurde der einst kräftige Mann zunehmend gebrechlich.
In old age, the once strong man became increasingly frail.
In real life
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