débiles
/DAY-bee-les/
weak
A lack of physical strength makes even small tasks, like lifting a feather, difficult.
débiles(Adjective)
weak
?lacking physical or mental strength
,feeble
?lacking effectiveness
frail
?physically delicate
,vulnerable
?easily harmed
📝 In Action
Las paredes de esa casa son muy débiles y necesitan reparación.
A2The walls of that house are very weak and need repair.
Después de la gripe, mis piernas estaban débiles.
A2After the flu, my legs were weak.
Los argumentos que presentó eran muy débiles.
B1The arguments he presented were very weak.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Adjective Rule
This word is the plural of débil. Since the singular form ends in the letter 'l' (a consonant), we add '-es' to make it plural.
Always Match the Noun
As an adjective, débiles must always agree in number with the noun it describes. If you are talking about one weak thing, use débil.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Plural
Mistake: "Mis amigos son débil."
Correction: Mis amigos son débiles. (The adjective must be plural to match the plural noun 'amigos'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
You can use débiles not just for physical strength, but also for weak arguments, weak economies, or faint smells/lights.
When used as a noun, débiles refers to a group of people who are vulnerable and need protection or support.
📝 In Action
El gobierno debe proteger a los más débiles de la sociedad.
B1The government must protect the weakest (or most vulnerable) in society.
Siempre hay que defender a los débiles.
B2You always have to defend the weak.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective acting as Noun
When you put an article (like los or las) directly before the plural adjective débiles, it stops describing a noun and becomes the noun itself, referring to the group of people or things that have that quality.
⭐ Usage Tips
Referring to People
This noun form is most often used in formal or social contexts when discussing groups of people who are disadvantaged or lack protection.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: débiles
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'débiles' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'débiles' change its ending for masculine or feminine plural nouns?
No. The word 'débil' is one of those adjectives that stays the same whether the noun is masculine or feminine. You use 'débiles' for both: 'los hombres débiles' (the weak men) and 'las mujeres débiles' (the weak women).
What is the difference between 'débiles' and 'frágiles'?
Both mean 'weak,' but 'frágiles' (fragile) usually emphasizes that something is easily broken or damaged, like glass or a delicate object. 'Débiles' focuses more on a general lack of strength, power, or effectiveness.