frail
gb/fɹˈeɪl/ us/fɹˈeɪl/
B1
Anglais
~ 6700
gyenge, elesett, legyengült, halvány, gyenge szerkezetű, törékeny, kényes, rozoga, gyarló, esendő, gyenge jellemű
B1
1
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is frail
After the surgery, he was still too frail to walk without help.
A műtét után még túl gyenge volt ahhoz, hogy segítség nélkül járjon.
The nursing home provides special care for frail elderly patients.
Az idősotthon speciális ellátást nyújt az elesett idős betegeknek.
Her body looked small and frail in the hospital bed.
Months of illness had left her frail and easily exhausted.
He is mentally sharp, but physically quite frail now.
Exemples pédagogiques
My grandfather is old and frail.
A nagyapám öreg és gyenge.
She became frail after a long illness.
Egy hosszú betegség után legyengült.
The frail woman needed help to stand up.
He is too frail to carry heavy bags.
They take care of frail old people in that home.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse "frail" with "fragile." Use "frail" mainly for people and their health; use "fragile" more often for objects or emotional states, like a "fragile glass" or "fragile peace."
Sens
physically weak and delicate person
Collocations
frail elderly
|frail body
|frail old man
|frail health
|weak and frail
|too frail to [verb]
Synonymes
weak (More general and common; does not always suggest age or illness.)
|
feeble (Stronger emotional tone; can sound more negative or pitiful than "frail.")
Antonymes
strong (Describes someone with good physical power or health, the opposite of physically frail.)
|
robust (Suggests especially good health and physical strength, often in contrast to being frail with age.)
Thèmes
health
|ageing
|body
Définition
Physically weak, especially because a person is very old, sick, or has been ill for a long time.
Physically weak and delicate, especially because of age, illness, or injury, and therefore easily tired or harmed.
B2
2
Schéma d’usage :
frail [hope/argument/excuse]
There is only a frail hope that the talks will succeed.
Csak halvány remény van rá, hogy a tárgyalások sikerrel járnak.
His frail excuse for being late did not convince anyone.
A késésre adott gyenge kifogása senkit sem győzött meg.
The case rested on a frail argument that soon fell apart in court.
Her confidence was built on the frail belief that nothing could go wrong.
They are clinging to a frail chance that the company will survive.
Exemples pédagogiques
We have only a frail hope that he will live.
Csak halvány reményünk van rá, hogy életben marad.
That is a very frail excuse for missing the meeting.
Ez nagyon gyenge kifogás arra, hogy kihagytad a megbeszélést.
The plan stands on a frail idea.
Their chance to win is frail and small.
His support is frail and may not last.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may try to use "frail" for every kind of weakness. For everyday speech, "weak" is usually more natural for arguments or excuses; "frail" sounds a bit more formal or literary in this sense.
Sens
weak or uncertain (argument, hope)
Collocations
frail hope
|frail chance
|frail excuse
|frail argument
|frail claim
|frail basis
Synonymes
weak (Most common general term; can sound less formal than "frail" in this abstract sense.)
|
flimsy (Often more critical or dismissive, especially for excuses and arguments.)
Antonymes
strong (Describes an argument, hope, or chance that is solid and convincing.)
|
sound (Suggests something based on good reasons or evidence, opposed to a frail basis or argument.)
Thèmes
thinking
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Définition
Not strong or good enough to be sure, especially when talking about an argument, reason, or hope.
Not strong, reliable, or convincing enough to be effective, especially of arguments, hopes, or chances.
B2
3
Schéma d’usage :
frail [object/structure]
The tourists were warned not to cross the frail wooden bridge.
A turistákat figyelmeztették, hogy ne menjenek át a rozoga fahídon.
They built a frail shelter from branches and plastic sheets.
Ágakból és műanyag fóliából rozoga menedéket építettek.
The chair looked too frail to support his weight.
Emergency workers moved carefully through the frail remains of the building.
A frail metal frame held up the old sign.
Exemples pédagogiques
The table is too frail to hold many books.
Az asztal túl gyenge szerkezetű ahhoz, hogy sok könyvet elbírjon.
We lived in a frail house made of wood.
Egy rozoga faházban laktunk.
Do not sit on that frail chair.
The frail bridge may break in a storm.
The box is frail and breaks easily.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often choose "frail" instead of the more common word "fragile" for glass, phones, or other everyday objects. In modern English, "fragile" usually sounds more natural for objects, while "frail" is more typical for people and health.
Sens
easily broken or damaged object
Collocations
frail structure
|frail bridge
|frail wooden chair
|frail shelter
|frail frame
|frail construction
Synonymes
fragile (More common for objects; often used for things that must be handled carefully.)
|
delicate (Suggests both physical weakness and a fine or light quality.)
Antonymes
sturdy (Emphasizes being strong and lasting, especially for structures and objects.)
|
solid (Focuses on being firm and not easily broken.)
Thèmes
objects
|safety
|construction
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Définition
Easy to break or damage because it is not strong.
Easily broken, damaged, or destroyed because it is not physically strong or solid.
C1
LITERARY
4
Schéma d’usage :
frail [human nature/mortals]
The novel explores the frail nature of human goodness under pressure.
A regény az emberi jóság nyomás alatt megmutatkozó gyarló természetét vizsgálja.
He spoke about forgiveness, saying that all of us are frail creatures.
A megbocsátásról beszélt, és azt mondta, hogy mindannyian gyarló teremtmények vagyunk.
The film shows how even the strongest hero can be frail when faced with temptation.
Her diary reveals a frail character, easily influenced by others.
The priest reminded them of their frail human nature.
Exemples pédagogiques
The story shows that people are frail and make mistakes.
A történet megmutatja, hogy az emberek esendők, és hibáznak.
He is a good man but still frail and weak in his heart.
Jó ember, de mégis gyarló, és gyenge a lelke.
The teacher said our will is frail when we want to do wrong things.
The book talks about frail human nature.
We are frail and sometimes choose the easy, wrong way.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may try to use this sense in everyday speech, but it sounds formal or literary. For normal conversation, words like "weak," "easily tempted," or "has no self-control" are more natural.
Sens
morally weak or easily tempted
Collocations
frail human nature
|frail creatures
|weak and frail
|frail mortals
|frail character
Synonymes
weak-willed (Focuses on lack of willpower rather than moral judgment; more modern and direct.)
|
fallible (Suggests being capable of error or moral failure, often in a reflective or formal tone.)
Antonymes
strong-willed (Stresses having firm self-control and determination.)
|
virtuous (Highlights moral strength and goodness, the opposite of moral frailty.)
Thèmes
morality
|religion
|character
|emotions
|relationships
Définition
Not strong in character and easily does something wrong or gives in to a bad desire.
Morally or mentally weak, easily led into doing wrong or giving in to temptation.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
frail
API
GB/fɹˈeɪl/
US/fɹˈeɪl/
Syllabes et accentuation
frail (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (frail)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: frail
- Comparative: frailer
- Superlative: frailest
Famille de mots
Expressions
frail human nature
1/fɹˈeɪl hjˈumən nˈeɪt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
literary
people’s weakness in character
The idea that people are not perfect and can easily make bad choices or mistakes.
Exemples
- The play is a study of frail human nature under stress.
- The article argues that laws exist to control our frail human nature.
- Religion often speaks about forgiving our frail human nature.
in frail health
1/ˈɪn fɹˈeɪl hˈɛlθ/
fixed phrase
in weak physical condition
To be physically weak and not very healthy, often because of age or illness.
Exemples
- She has been in frail health since the accident.
- Many of the residents in this care home are in frail health.
- After months in hospital, he returned home in frail health.
the frail elderly
1/ðə fɹˈeɪl ˈɛldɚli/
fixed phrase
physically weak older people
Older people whose bodies are weak and who need help or special care.
Exemples
- The program provides home visits for the frail elderly.
- Health services are under pressure as the number of the frail elderly increases.
- Policies must consider the needs of the frail elderly living alone.