delicate
gb/dˈɛlɪkɪt/ us/dˈɛlɪkɪt/
A2
English
~ 1800
gyenge szerkezetű, törékeny, kényes, rozoga, finom, lágy, gyenge, gyenge egészségű
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is delicate
The antique vase is very delicate, so handle it with care.
Az antik váza nagyon törékeny, ezért óvatosan bánj vele.
These flowers are too delicate to survive the cold weather.
Ezek a virágok túl kényesek ahhoz, hogy átvészeljék a hideget.
She wore a dress made from delicate silk.
Learner examples
The cup is delicate.
A csésze törékeny.
The flower is delicate.
A virág törékeny.
The box is delicate.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'delicate' with 'elegant', but 'delicate' here means physically fragile, not stylish.
Meaning
Easily damaged or broken
Collocations
delicate fabric
|delicate glass
|delicate structure
|delicate flowers
Synonyms
fragile (Implies vulnerability to damage, often physical.)
Antonyms
durable (Describes something strong and able to last without damage.)
Themes
daily life
|objects
|materials
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Easy to break or damage because it is thin or light.
Easily damaged, broken, or harmed because of being light, thin, or fragile.
B1
2
kényes
B2
Usage pattern:
a delicate [situation/matter/task]
They are discussing a delicate political issue.
Egy kényes politikai kérdést vitatnak meg.
Handling customer complaints can be a delicate matter.
Az ügyfélpanaszok kezelése kényes ügy lehet.
He has a delicate role in the peace talks.
Learner examples
This is a delicate question.
Ez kényes kérdés.
We have a delicate job today.
Ma kényes feladatunk van.
It is a delicate problem.
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly apply 'delicate' to situations where 'difficult' fits better; 'delicate' implies special care or tact.
Meaning
Needing careful handling
Collocations
delicate situation
|delicate matter
|delicate negotiations
Synonyms
sensitive (Emphasizes emotional or social caution rather than physical fragility.)
Antonyms
straightforward (Easy to handle without special care.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Needing to be dealt with carefully because it is easy to upset or damage.
Requiring careful handling due to sensitivity, complexity, or risk of causing offense.
B1
3
finom
A2
Usage pattern:
delicate [features/design/pattern]
She painted the scene with delicate brushstrokes.
Finom ecsetvonásokkal festette meg a jelenetet.
The cake was decorated with delicate sugar flowers.
A tortát finom kidolgozású cukorvirágokkal díszítették.
His face had delicate features.
Learner examples
The dress has a delicate pattern.
A ruhán finom minta van.
She has a delicate face.
Finom vonású az arca.
The bird has delicate wings.
Meaning
Fine and light in appearance or texture
Collocations
delicate features
|delicate lace
|delicate design
Synonyms
dainty (Small, pretty, and often fragile-looking.)
Antonyms
coarse (Rough in texture or appearance.)
Themes
art
|appearance
|nature
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Definition
Looking or feeling light, thin, and beautiful.
Having a fine, light, and attractive appearance or texture.
B2
4
Usage pattern:
delicate [flavor/aroma/scent]
The soup has a delicate flavor of herbs.
A levesnek finom, lágy zöldfűszeres íze van.
This tea has a delicate aroma.
Ennek a teának finom aromája van.
The perfume is light and delicate.
Learner examples
The cake has a delicate taste.
A süteménynek finom, lágy íze van.
I smell a delicate flower.
Egy finom illatú virágot szagolok.
The tea is delicate.
Meaning
Subtle pleasant taste or smell
Collocations
delicate flavor
|delicate aroma
|delicate scent
Synonyms
subtle (Suggests something understated and refined.)
Antonyms
strong (Intense and easily noticeable in taste or smell.)
Themes
food
|senses
|food_drink
Definition
Tasting or smelling nice in a soft way, not strong.
Having a subtle and pleasant flavor or aroma that is not strong or overpowering.
B2
5
Usage pattern:
[someone] is delicate
She has been in delicate health since childhood.
Gyerekkora óta gyenge az egészsége.
His constitution is too delicate for strenuous exercise.
A szervezete túl gyenge a megerőltető testmozgáshoz.
The patient was too delicate to travel.
Learner examples
My grandmother is delicate.
A nagymamám törékeny.
He is in delicate health.
Gyenge az egészsége.
The baby is delicate.
Meaning
Physically weak or fragile in health
Collocations
delicate constitution
|delicate health
Synonyms
frail (Physically weak, especially due to age or illness.)
Antonyms
robust (Strong and healthy.)
Themes
health
|body
Definition
Not strong and becoming sick easily.
Having poor physical strength or health; easily made ill.
Grammar
Dictionary form
delicate
IPA
GB/dˈɛlɪkɪt/
US/dˈɛlɪkɪt/
Syllables & stress
del - ic - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (del)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: delicate
Word family
Core family
delicately
adverb B1
delicacy
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
indelicate
adjective
Expressions
a delicate balance
1/ə dˈɛlɪkɪt bˈæləns/
fixed phrase
Situation needing careful proportion control
A situation where different things must be kept equal carefully.
Examples
- Maintaining work-life harmony is often a delicate balance.
- The ecosystem depends on a delicate balance of species.
in delicate health
1/ˈɪn dˈɛlɪkɪt hˈɛlθ/
fixed phrase
Physically weak or sickly condition
Not strong and often sick.
Examples
- She has been in delicate health for years.
- His mother is in delicate health these days.
tread carefully
1/tɹˈɛd kˈɛɹfəli/
idiom
Act with great caution
To be very careful about what you do or say.
Examples
- You should tread carefully when giving criticism.
- They are treading carefully to avoid making mistakes.
tread carefully
2/tɹˈɛd kˈɛɹfəli/
idiom
Act cautiously to avoid offense or trouble
Be careful what you do or say so you do not cause trouble.
Examples
- You need to tread carefully when discussing politics at work.
- He tread carefully around the subject of her family.
handle with care
1/hˈændəl wˈɪθ kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
Treat gently to avoid damage
Be very careful when you touch or move this thing so it does not break.
Examples
- The box is marked 'Fragile: Handle with care'.
- These boxes contain glassware, so please handle with care.
- The box says "Fragile: handle with care" on the side.
- Please handle with care; it's very old and valuable.
- Fragile items must be handled with care during shipping.
- These samples are very delicate, so please handle them with care.