débiles
“débiles” means “weak” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
weak, feeble
Also: frail, vulnerable
📝 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.
the weak
Also: weaknesses
📝 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.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: débiles
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'débiles' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *dēbilis*, which meant 'weak,' 'faint,' or 'crippled.' The word has remained very similar in Spanish for centuries.
First recorded: Medieval Latin period
Cognates (Related words)
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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.