brüchig

Brüchig is a German adjective describing something that is easily broken, cracked, or otherwise fragilized. It is commonly used for physical materials that lack strength, such as glass, porcelain, ice, dried wood, or a plaster wall. The term can also be extended metaphorically to describe things that are structurally unstable or morally or evidentially fragile, for example a “brüchige Beweislage” or a “brüchige Beziehung.”

Etymology and nuance: Brüchig derives from a root related to breaking and the suffix -ig, which marks a characteristic. The word emphasizes vulnerability and a tendency to fail under stress. It is distinct from terms for general fragility or ease of breaking in everyday language, and overlaps with technical usage in materials science or engineering.

Usage and forms: Brüchig is used in attributive and predicative positions: der Boden ist brüchig, das Material ist brüchig. It can describe physical brittleness or fragility of a structure, vessel, or surface, and also describe softer, non-physical cases such as relationships or arguments. The related noun is Brüchigkeit (fragility, brittleness). The comparative form is brüchiger, and the superlative am brüchigsten. A common passive or dynamic use is brüchig werden, meaning to become fragile or brittle.

Examples: Eine brüchige Glasflasche kann bei Berührung zerbrechen. Die Brücke ist brüchig und muss repariert werden. Ihre Stimme klang brüchig, als sie die Nachricht vorlas.

See also: fragil, zerbrechlich, gebrechlich; in technical contexts often contrasted with robust or stabil.