fragile

frágil

fragile(

frah

juhl

)

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g. the big dog).

adjective

1. (breakable)

a. frágil

I can't believe you put all that fragile pottery in your checked bag.No puedo creer que pusiste toda esa cerámica frágil en la maleta que facturaste.

That box is full of fragile glassware, so be careful when handling it.Esa caja está llena de cristalería frágil, así que cuidado al manejarla.

2. (delicate)

a. débil (person)

She has always been a fragile girl on the outside, but strong on the inside.Siempre ha sido una chica débil por fuera, pero fuerte por dentro.

b. delicado (health)

His health was quite fragile in recent months, but he's much better now.Su salud estuvo muy delicada los últimos meses, pero ahora está mucho mejor.

c. precario (health)

Grandpa's physical condition is fragile; the bags under his eyes are bigger and his bones hurt more.El estado físico de abuelo es precario, tiene más ojeras y le duelen más los huesos.

3. (shaky)

a. precario

He had a fragile employment contract and could be fired at any time.Tenía un contrato laboral precario y podían despedirlo en cualquier momento.

b. frágil

I love my brothers, but we have a fragile and complex relationship.Quiero mucho a mis hermanos, pero tenemos una relación frágil y compleja.

fragile

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g. the big dog).

adjective

1. (general)

a. frágil

fragile [ˈfrædʒaɪl]

adjective

1 (easily broken) [+glass, china, object] frágil

fragile, handle with care cuidado, frágil

2 (delicate, fine) [+plant, beauty, person] delicado

the urchin cut made her eyes look huge and emphasised her fragile beauty his confidence had to be nurtured and raised like a fragile plant her fragile beauty

3 (frail) [+person] débil; [+health] delicado; precario

she looked very fragile a slim, fragile-looking child,

I'm feeling rather fragile this morning (humorous) me siento un poco pachucho esta mañana (informal)

She was a small woman, very slender, very fair and fragile-looking the fragile health of her father meant she ahd to be with him most of the time this is taking a new toll on his fragile health

4 (unstable) [+peace, democracy, relationship] precario; frágil

the fragile state of the economy el precario or frágil estado de la economía

a new controversy surfaced to undermine the fragile peace Cambodia's fragile peace process is holding together today because of an agreement between the Cambodian government and guerrilla groups The fragile cease-fire in Yugoslavia is in danger of collapsing Serrano's action could threaten Guatemala's fragile democracy The Rodney King beating has meant further disintegration of the always fragile relationship between the police department and the minority communities

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Examples