Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Weak in Spanish: How to Use Débil
Débil · adjective · DEH-beel
Weak in Spanish is débil, an adjective used for people, signals, and arguments. It doesn't change for gender (ends in a consonant), and the plural is débiles.
Débil is DEH-beel, stressed on the first syllable.
Me siento débil después de la gripe.
I feel weak after the flu.
Weak in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for weak, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| débil | weak | DEH-beel | Default, widely understood |
| debilidad | weak | the noun: weakness | |
| flojo | weak | weak / slack (informal, regional) |
How Native Speakers Use Débil
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Physically
Me siento débil después de la gripe.
I feel weak after the flu.
Sentirse débil for physical weakness.
A faint signal
La señal del wifi está muy débil aquí.
The wifi signal is very weak here.
Débil works for signals too.
An argument
Es una excusa débil y nadie la cree.
It's a weak excuse and nobody believes it.
Figurative, weak reasoning.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Débil
Adding -o or -a to débil
Incorrect: un niño débilo
Correct: un niño débil
Débil ends in a consonant and doesn't change for gender (un hombre débil, una mujer débil); only the plural adds -es (débiles).
Confusing débil with delgado
Incorrect: Es muy débil, pesa cuarenta kilos.
Correct: Es muy delgado, pesa cuarenta kilos.
Débil means weak (lacking strength), while thin or slim is delgado or flaco, since being thin doesn't mean being weak.
Lock in Weak Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Débil used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using débil in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Me siento débil después de la gripe. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Weak in Spanish
- How do you say weak in Spanish?
- Weak in Spanish is débil (DEH-beel), an adjective for people, signals, and arguments, with the plural débiles.
- What is the noun for weakness?
- The noun is debilidad, and tener debilidad por algo can also mean to have a soft spot for something.
- How do I say to get weaker?
- Use debilitarse, as in la señal se debilita (the signal is getting weaker) or se debilitó tras la operación.