más débil
/mas debil/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'weaker' is translated into Spanish as más débil.
You can use it to refer to physical strength, such as being physically weaker than someone else or to abstract concepts like a weaker party in a group. Relatedly, the verb debilitar means 'to weaken'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of más (more) and débil (weak).
Which one should you use?
You can also use menos fuerte to say 'less strong', which is often used when describing physical strength. If you want to indicate a weaker condition informally, you might use más flojo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term más débilucho may be used to convey a sense of humor or playfulness.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the singular form is más débil, you must use the plural form más débiles when describing a plural subject.
Did you know?
- The word más is a direct relative of the English word 'master', as both descend from the Latin 'magis' or 'magister'.
- Adding the diminutive suffix '-ucho' to create débilucho doesn't just make the word smaller, it adds a condescending or mocking tone to the description.
- While débil describes weakness, the related Spanish word endeble is often used specifically for objects that are flimsy or poorly constructed.
Examples in context
- Él tiende a estar del lado del grupo más débil.He tends to take sides with the weaker party.This sentence shows how to use más débil to describe a weaker party in a group.Tatoeba #1296785 by marcelostockle, translation #299160 by CM
- Las mujeres son físicamente más débiles que los hombres.Women are physically weaker than men.This sentence illustrates the use of más débil for physical comparison.Tatoeba #1342368 by hayastan, translation #267315 by CK
- Un hombre es más fuerte que el hierro y más débil que una mosca.Humans are stronger than iron and weaker than flies.This sentence provides a comparison using más débil to describe human strength relative to other things.Tatoeba #1678813 by marcelostockle, translation #7908304 by shekitten
- El músculo lesionado es más débil que el otroThe injured muscle is weaker than the other one
- Su sistema inmunológico se está debilitandoHis immune system is weakening
- El vidrio fino es más frágil que el gruesoThin glass is weaker than thick glass
- Los niños son menos fuertes que los adultosChildren are weaker than adults
- Ese argumento es más débil que el anteriorThat argument is weaker than the previous one
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing their training progress at the gym.
- AlejandroMe siento más débil hoy.I feel weaker today.
- LucíaTal vez necesitas descansar más, Alejandro.Maybe you need to rest more, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEs cierto, mi cuerpo está más débil de lo normal.It's true, my body is weaker than usual.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, mañana estarás mejor.Don't worry, you will be better tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries débil, más, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
