Spanish · Emotions & Descriptions

"Weak" in Spanish: débil

débil

Say it: DEH-beeladjective/ˈde.βil/

Weak in Spanish is débil. Débil stays the same for él and ella. The plural is débiles. Use débil for a weak body, signal, or argument.

After illness

Todavía me siento débil.
I still feel weak.
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How to pronounce débil

Say it

DEH-beel

/ˈde.βil/

DEH-beel. Stress DEH. Soft b; í like ee.

"Weak" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
débilweak

Same for masculine and feminine singular.

débilesweak (plural)

For more than one.

señal débilweak signal

Phone or Wi‑Fi.

me siento débilI feel weak

After illness or hunger.

How to use débil in real life

  1. 1After illness

    Todavía me siento débil.

    I still feel weak.

    Débil after sentirse.

  2. 2Phone call

    La señal está débil aquí.

    The signal is weak here.

    Señal débil for reception.

  3. 3About a friend

    Ella está débil después de la gripe.

    She is weak after the flu.

    Débil stays the same for ella.

Mistakes English speakers make with débil

Incorrect: Ella es débila.

Correct: Ella es débil.

Débil has no -a form. Say ella es débil.

Incorrect: Ellos son débil.

Correct: Ellos son débiles.

Use plural débiles for more than one.

Good to know

Débil is everyday Latin American Spanish for body weakness or a weak signal. For cowardly, people often say cobarde, not débil.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Checking on a friend after the flu

  1. ChatPal

    ¿Todavía te sientes débil?

    Do you still feel weak?

  2. You

    Un poco débil, pero mejor.

    A little weak, but better.

  3. ChatPal

    Descansa. Estar débil es normal ahora.

    Rest. Feeling weak is normal now.

  4. You

    Sí. Voy a dormir más hoy.

    Yes. I'm going to sleep more today.

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"Weak" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Weak" in Spanish

Does débil change for gender?

No. Él es débil and ella es débil. Plural: débiles.

How do I pronounce débil?

DEH-beel. Stress the first syllable.

Ser or estar?

Estar débil for a temporary state. Ser débil for a lasting trait.

Weak signal?

La señal está débil.

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