precarious
gb/pɹikˈɛɹiəs/ us/pɹikˈɛɹiəs/
B2
Engels
~ 9500
bizonytalan, ingatag
B2
1
bizonytalan
B1
ingatag
B2
Gebruikspatroon:
a precarious [object/place/position]
He inched along the narrow, precarious ledge above the river.
Lassan araszolt végig a folyó fölötti keskeny, bizonytalan sziklapárkányon.
They crossed the ravine on a precarious wooden bridge that swayed in the wind.
Egy bizonytalan, a szélben imbolygó fahídon keltek át a szakadékon.
Books were piled in a precarious tower that looked ready to topple at any moment.
The climber lost his precarious footing on the icy rock.
A single bulb hung from a precarious wire over the hallway.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
The child stood on a precarious chair to reach the shelf.
A gyerek egy ingatag székre állt, hogy elérje a polcot.
We walked carefully along the precarious path on the cliff.
Óvatosan haladtunk végig a szikla szélén vezető bizonytalan ösvényen.
The cups were in a precarious pile on the table.
The cat slept on a precarious perch high on the cupboard.
He placed the box in a precarious position on the edge.
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes use "precarious" for anything simply "dangerous." It is more specific: the danger comes from being unstable or not securely held, especially physically. For general danger, words like "dangerous" or "risky" are more natural.
Betekenis
physically unstable or likely to fall
Woordcombinaties
precarious ladder
|precarious ledge
|precarious perch
|precarious footing
|precarious stack
Synoniemen
unstable (More general; can describe physical things or abstract situations, not always with a strong sense of danger.)
Antoniemen
stable (Suggests something is firmly fixed, steady, and not likely to move or fall.)
Thema's
safety
|daily life
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definitie
Not safe or steady and may fall or break easily.
Not securely fixed or positioned and therefore likely to fall, collapse, or fail physically.
C1
2
bizonytalan
B1
ingatag
B2
Gebruikspatroon:
a precarious [situation/job/position]
Many workers are stuck in precarious jobs with no benefits or long-term security.
Sok dolgozó bizonytalan állásokban ragadt, juttatások és hosszú távú biztonság nélkül.
After the scandal, the minister's position became increasingly precarious.
A botrány után a miniszter helyzete egyre ingatagabbá vált.
The ceasefire has created a precarious peace that could collapse at any time.
Their finances were so precarious that a single emergency bill could ruin them.
The company is in a precarious situation, relying on one major client to survive.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
She has a precarious job and could lose it soon.
Bizonytalan állása van, és hamarosan elveszítheti.
Their money situation is precarious, so they cannot relax.
Bizonytalan az anyagi helyzetük, ezért nem lehetnek nyugodtak.
The team's lead is precarious and could disappear in minutes.
He lives a precarious life, never sure about his next paycheck.
The peace between the two countries is very precarious.
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners often confuse "precarious" with "precious" or "previous" because they look similar. "Precarious" means unsafe or uncertain, especially about the future; "precious" means very valuable or loved; "previous" means earlier or before.
Betekenis
insecure or uncertain situation
Woordcombinaties
precarious job
|precarious situation
|precarious financial position
|precarious existence
|precarious peace
|precarious future
Synoniemen
insecure (Focuses on the lack of safety or stability, especially for jobs, income, or status; can sound slightly less dramatic than "precarious.")
Antoniemen
secure (Describes a situation or position that is safe, stable, and not likely to be lost or harmed.)
Thema's
business
|social_issues
|economy
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definitie
Not safe or sure to continue; it could easily get worse or be lost.
Not securely held, continued, or guaranteed; likely to become worse, fail, or be lost.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
precarious
IPA
GB/pɹikˈɛɹiəs/
US/pɹikˈɛɹiəs/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
pre - cari - ous (3 lettergrepen)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cari)
Woordvormen
Adjective
- Base: precarious
Woordfamilie
Core family
precariously
adverb
Related words
precariousness
noun
Advanced or less common
precarity
noun C2
Uitdrukkingen
a precarious balance
1/ə pɹikˈɛɹiəs bˈæləns/
fixed phrase
a balance that is easily upset
A situation where different forces or groups are just balanced, but this balance can easily be lost.
Voorbeelden
- The region is held in a precarious balance between peace and conflict.
- The ecosystem depends on a precarious balance of species and climate conditions.
in a precarious position
1/ˈɪn ə pɹikˈɛɹiəs pəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
in a risky, unstable situation
To be in a situation that is not safe or sure, and could easily become worse or fail.
Voorbeelden
- After losing two major clients, the firm found itself in a precarious position.
- If the talks fail, we will be in a very precarious position internationally.
- The injury left the team in a precarious position before the final match.
precarious work
1/pɹikˈɛɹiəs wˈɚk/
fixed phrase
formal
insecure or unstable employment
Work that is not stable or safe, often with low pay, short contracts, and few rights or benefits.
Voorbeelden
- The report highlights the growth of precarious work in the gig economy.
- Young people are increasingly trapped in precarious work with no clear career path.