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B1 adjective 12 Min. Lesezeit

délabré

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Erklärung délabré in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the basic meaning of délabré as 'very old' or 'broken.' Imagine you are looking at a house that is not pretty because it is old and needs repairs. You can say 'La maison est délabrée.' Even though this is a B1-level word, you can understand it by comparing it to simple words like 'vieux' (old) or 'cassé' (broken). Think of a toy that is so old it is falling apart—that toy is 'délabré.' At this stage, just remember that it is a word for things in bad condition. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just try to recognize it when you see pictures of old, crumbling buildings. Remember that for a house (la maison), we add an 'e' at the end: délabrée. For a car (la voiture), it is also délabrée. If you are talking about an old building (le bâtiment), it is délabré. It's a useful word to know if you are describing a neighborhood or a place that looks sad because it hasn't been fixed in a long time. Practice saying it slowly: day-lah-bray.

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At the A2 level, you can start using délabré to describe places in more detail. You might use it when talking about your travels or where you live. For example, 'J'ai vu un château délabré pendant mes vacances' (I saw a dilapidated castle during my holidays). You should also begin to notice that this word is stronger than 'vieux.' If something is just old, it might still be beautiful. If it is 'délabré,' it is in bad shape. You can also use it with 'parce que' to explain why something is in that state: 'L'école est délabrée parce qu'elle est très ancienne.' At this level, pay attention to the plural forms. If you see many old houses, you say 'des maisons délabrées' (with an 's'). This helps you practice your adjective agreements, which is a key skill at A2. You might also hear this word in simple stories or fairy tales to describe where a witch or a poor person lives. It helps build the atmosphere of the story. Try to use it in your next writing exercise about an old town.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use délabré correctly in both written and spoken French. You should understand the difference between 'délabré' and synonyms like 'vétuste' or 'en ruine.' For a B1 learner, 'délabré' is a perfect word for describing urban environments, social issues, or the state of objects. You can start using it metaphorically, such as 'une santé délabrée' (shattered health) or 'une économie délabrée.' This shows a higher level of fluency. You should also be comfortable using adverbs to modify the adjective, such as 'complètement délabré' or 'un peu délabré.' In a conversation about housing, you might say: 'Le loyer est bas car l'appartement est assez délabré.' This level of detail is exactly what examiners look for in B1 speaking tests. You should also be able to recognize the word in news articles about public infrastructure or historical heritage. It is a very common word in the 'Société' (Society) section of French newspapers like Le Monde or Le Figaro.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of délabré. You can use it to argue a point or describe complex situations. For instance, in an essay about the environment or urban decay, you might discuss the 'conséquences sociales des quartiers délabrés' (social consequences of dilapidated neighborhoods). You should also be able to use the verb form 'délabrer' and the noun 'délabrement.' For example, 'Le délabrement des services publics est un sujet de préoccupation' (The dilapidation of public services is a subject of concern). At this level, you can appreciate the literary quality of the word. You might find it in a novel by Victor Hugo or Émile Zola, where it is used to symbolize the decay of society or the suffering of the poor. You should also be able to distinguish between 'délabré' and more technical terms like 'insalubre' (unsanitary) which has legal implications. Using 'délabré' correctly in a formal letter of complaint about housing shows that you have a strong command of descriptive vocabulary and the appropriate register.

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At the C1 level, your use of délabré should be sophisticated and contextually precise. You can use it to describe abstract concepts with ease, such as 'un système politique délabré' or 'une morale délabrée.' You understand that the word carries a certain 'pathos'—it evokes a sense of loss or tragedy. You can use it in stylistic ways, perhaps in a creative writing piece to describe the 'silence délabré' of an old library. You should also be aware of its etymology and how it relates to other words in the 'shred/rag' family, like 'lambeau.' In a high-level academic or professional discussion, you might use 'délabré' to criticize a lack of maintenance or investment in a way that sounds both authoritative and descriptive. You are also capable of identifying the word's role in creating 'l'esthétique de la ruine' (the aesthetic of ruins) in art and literature. Your ability to switch between 'délabré,' 'décrépit,' and 'vétuste' to suit the specific context of a text is a hallmark of the C1 level.

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At the C2 level, délabré is a tool for mastery. You can use it to explore the philosophical implications of decay and time. You might use it in a critique of a philosophical work or a complex piece of literature to describe the 'état délabré de la pensée contemporaine' (the dilapidated state of contemporary thought). You have a complete grasp of its historical connotations and can use it to mimic different historical registers of French. You can use the word with irony or sarcasm, or to create a very specific atmosphere in a high-level literary translation. Your understanding of the word includes its rarest uses and its presence in classical French theater or poetry. You can discuss the nuances between 'délabré' and similar words in other languages (like English 'dilapidated' vs 'run-down') and explain why 'délabré' is the only correct choice in a specific French sentence. At this level, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a brushstroke in a complex linguistic painting that you can manipulate with total control and creative flair.

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délabré in 30 Sekunden

Délabré means dilapidated or in a state of ruin, primarily used for buildings and objects.
It requires gender and number agreement: délabré (m), délabrée (f), délabrés (mp), délabrées (fp).
Metaphorically, it can describe a person's health or a failing economic or social system.
It is stronger than 'old' and suggests structural failure rather than just being dirty.

The French adjective délabré is a evocative term used to describe something that has fallen into a state of severe disrepair, neglect, or ruin. While its primary application is architectural—referring to buildings that are crumbling, houses with peeling paint, or abandoned structures—it carries a heavy emotional and visual weight that suggests a long period of abandonment or lack of care. It comes from the verb délabrer, which historically meant to tear into rags or shreds. When you call a place délabré, you are not just saying it is 'old' or 'messy'; you are saying it is physically failing and perhaps even dangerous or depressing to look at. It is the difference between an 'old house' and a 'dilapidated shack.' This word is essential for intermediate learners because it allows for precise description in literature, news reporting, and everyday conversations about urban environments or historical sites.

Physical State: Refers to structural damage, such as holes in roofs, broken windows, or cracked walls. It implies that without intervention, the object will soon be a total loss.

Metaphorical Health: Can be applied to a person's health (une santé délabrée) to indicate that they are physically broken down by age, illness, or a difficult lifestyle.

Institutional Decay: Used to describe systems, organizations, or finances that are no longer functioning effectively due to systemic neglect.

Les volets pendaient lamentablement sur la façade de ce vieux manoir délabré.

Après des années d'errance, il se retrouva avec une santé totalement délabrée.

Le quartier était rempli d'usines délabrées qui rappelaient le passé industriel de la ville.

Il vit dans un appartement délabré où le chauffage ne fonctionne plus depuis l'hiver dernier.

Le mobilier de la salle d'attente était si délabré que personne n'osait s'y asseoir.

In a broader cultural sense, the word is often associated with the concept of 'le patrimoine en péril' (heritage in danger) in France. Many historic villages have buildings that are described as délabrés because the cost of restoration is too high. In literature, Balzac and Zola frequently used this word to set a grim, realistic atmosphere for their characters, using the physical decay of the environment to mirror the moral or financial decay of the inhabitants. If you are walking through a city and see a building with falling plaster and boarded-up windows, délabré is the perfect word to use. It suggests a story of what once was, contrasted sharply with the neglect of the present. It is a word of shadows, history, and the inevitable passage of time when things are left to the elements.

Using délabré correctly requires an understanding of its placement and its agreement with nouns. As a qualifying adjective, it typically follows the noun it describes. For example, instead of saying 'a dilapidated house,' you would say 'une maison délabrée.' Because it is derived from a past participle, it behaves like one, changing its ending to match the subject. This section will explore the various ways to integrate this word into your French vocabulary, from describing physical objects to abstract concepts. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker who appreciates the descriptive power of the French language.

Agreement Rules: Masculine singular: délabré; Feminine singular: délabrée; Masculine plural: délabrés; Feminine plural: délabrées. Always check the gender of the building or object you are describing.

Common Noun Pairings: Commonly paired with 'immeuble' (building), 'maison' (house), 'toiture' (roofing), 'façade' (frontage), and 'santé' (health).

Intensity Modifiers: You can use 'complètement,' 'totalement,' or 'partiellement' to modify the degree of disrepair. For example: 'Un bâtiment totalement délabré.'

La vieille grange, autrefois fière, est maintenant tout à fait délabrée.

Ils ont acheté un château délabré dans l'espoir de le restaurer entièrement.

Les finances de l'entreprise sont dans un état délabré suite à la crise.

Le bus scolaire était si délabré qu'il ne passait plus le contrôle technique.

Nous avons dû quitter notre logement car il était devenu trop délabré pour y vivre en sécurité.

To use délabré effectively, consider the context of the decay. If you are talking about a car that is simply old but still works, délabré might be too strong. However, if the car has rust holes, a missing door, and a broken engine, délabré is exactly right. In the realm of metaphor, you can use it to describe a 'système éducatif délabré' (a crumbling education system) to criticize a lack of funding and crumbling infrastructure. This versatility makes it a powerful tool for social commentary. Practice by describing old objects around you—perhaps an old book with a broken spine or a garden fence that is falling over. The more you use it in specific contexts, the more natural it will feel in your French conversations and compositions.

You will encounter délabré in a variety of real-world scenarios in France and other French-speaking countries. It is a staple of news reports concerning urban planning, social housing, and historical preservation. When journalists report on 'marchands de sommeil' (slumlords), they frequently use délabré to describe the substandard living conditions of the tenants. It is also a key term in the real estate market, though often used as a warning or a sign of a 'fixer-upper' project. Beyond the news, you will find it in literature, film scripts, and even in political speeches where the state of public services is being debated. Understanding where this word pops up will help you recognize the tone and urgency of the speaker.

News & Media: Reports on 'logements insalubres' (unsanitary housing) often use this word to describe buildings that are falling apart.

Real Estate: Ads for cheap properties might describe a house as 'à rénover' (to renovate), but a buyer might describe it as 'délabré' to negotiate a lower price.

Literature & Film: Used to create a 'noir' or gothic atmosphere, describing haunted houses or the gritty streets of a neglected city.

Le reportage montrait des écoles délabrées où le plafond menaçait de s'effondrer.

Dans ce film policier, le détective habite dans un hôtel délabré du centre-ville.

L'opposition a critiqué l'état délabré des infrastructures ferroviaires du pays.

Le poète décrivait son cœur comme un vieux bâtiment délabré par les chagrins d'amour.

On trouve souvent des villages délabrés dans les zones rurales touchées par l'exode.

In everyday conversation, you might hear a friend complain about their 'vieille voiture délabrée' (old run-down car) or a 'canapé délabré' (worn-out sofa) that they need to throw away. It is a word that carries a sense of finality—once something is délabré, it usually requires a significant effort to fix it, or it is destined for demolition. In social debates, the word is often used to highlight inequality; for instance, discussing the 'quartiers délabrés' (dilapidated neighborhoods) versus the 'quartiers chics' (posh neighborhoods). By paying attention to this word in podcasts, news broadcasts like 'Le Journal de 20h', or French novels, you will see how it paints a vivid picture of the physical and social landscape of the Francophone world.

While délabré is a versatile word, learners often make specific errors in its usage, ranging from incorrect grammatical agreement to confusing it with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. One of the most common mistakes is failing to change the ending for feminine or plural nouns. Since French adjectives must match the noun they modify, a 'maison' (feminine) must be 'délabrée,' and 'murs' (masculine plural) must be 'délabrés.' Another frequent error is using délabré when a milder word like 'vieux' (old) or 'sale' (dirty) would be more appropriate. Délabré implies structural failure, not just age or lack of cleanliness.

Confusing with 'Détruit': 'Détruit' means destroyed (leveled), whereas 'délabré' means falling apart but still standing. You wouldn't call a pile of rubble 'délabré.'

Confusing with 'Sale': A room can be 'sale' (dirty) but perfectly intact. 'Délabré' implies that cleaning won't fix the problem; you need repairs.

Overuse in Casual Speech: Using 'délabré' for a slightly worn-out pair of shoes might sound overly dramatic. For clothing, 'usé' or 'élimé' is often better.

Incorrect: La maison est délabré. Correct: La maison est délabrée.

Incorrect: J'ai un stylo délabré. Correct: J'ai un stylo cassé (unless the pen is literally crumbling into pieces).

Incorrect: Le bâtiment est délabré par une bombe. Correct: Le bâtiment est endommagé or détruit.

Incorrect: Ses vêtements sont délabrés. Correct: Ses vêtements sont en loques or usés.

Incorrect: Un jardin délabré. Correct: Un jardin en friche or négligé.

Another mistake involves the preposition used after the verb form. If you say something 'is dilapidated by time,' you use 'par le temps' (délabré par le temps). However, it is more common to use it as a standalone adjective. Learners also sometimes confuse it with 'démodé' (out of fashion). A house can be 'démodée' (having 1970s wallpaper) without being 'délabrée' (having a hole in the roof). Finally, remember that délabré has a negative connotation. You wouldn't use it to describe a charmingly rustic cottage; for that, you might use 'pittoresque' or 'rustique.' Using délabré implies a failure of responsibility or a sad decline, so choose your context carefully to match the emotional tone you intend to convey.

To truly master French, you need to know the synonyms and alternatives for délabré, as each carries a slightly different nuance or register. While délabré is a great all-purpose word for disrepair, sometimes you want to be more specific about whether the object is just old, legally unfit for habitation, or completely falling apart. Exploring these alternatives will allow you to describe everything from a slightly worn-out apartment to a crumbling ancient ruin with precision. This section compares délabré with its closest cousins in the French language.

Vétuste vs. Délabré: 'Vétuste' is often used in legal, insurance, or technical contexts. It means old and no longer meeting modern standards, but not necessarily crumbling. 'Délabré' is more visual and dramatic.

Décrépit vs. Délabré: 'Décrépit' is often used for the final stages of decay, especially concerning the exterior surface (like peeling plaster) or an elderly person's physical state. It sounds more 'shrunken' or 'wasted.'

Miteux vs. Délabré: 'Miteux' (from 'mite' meaning moth) implies something is shabby, dingy, or poor-looking. It’s more about the 'cheap and dirty' feel than structural ruin.

L'installation électrique est vétuste et doit être changée (Technical/Safety).

Le vieil homme avait un visage décrépit par les années (Physical appearance).

Il portait un manteau miteux qui avait connu des jours meilleurs (Shabby clothing).

L'immeuble est en ruine totale après l'incendie (Extreme state).

Le garage est dans un état lamentable (Expressing strong disapproval).

When deciding which word to use, ask yourself: Is the problem structural (délabré), technical/legal (vétuste), related to age and surface decay (décrépit), or just generally poor quality (miteux)? If you are describing a high-end fashion item that is intentionally made to look old, you might use 'usé' or 'vieilli,' but never délabré. On the other hand, if you are describing a ghost town, délabré and 'en ruines' will be your best friends. By expanding your vocabulary with these synonyms, you can tailor your descriptions to match the exact level of decay you are witnessing, making your French more expressive and sophisticated. Practice comparing these words in different contexts to see which one fits the 'vibe' of the scene you are describing.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'lab-' is also found in 'lambeau.' So, a 'délabré' house is literally a house 'in shreds.' This visual is very helpful for memorization.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /de.la.bʁe/

US /de.la.bʁe/

The stress is equal on all syllables, which is typical for French, though the final 'é' might feel slightly longer.

Reimt sich auf

égaré préparé réparé carré marée doré sacré ombré

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the final 'é' as a silent 'e'.
Using an English 'r' instead of the French gutteral 'r'.
Pronouncing the 'd' too harshly like in 'dog'.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'délibéré'.
Failing to pronounce the 'a' clearly.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

It is a common word in news and literature, so you will see it often.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires remembering the correct spelling and adjective agreements.

Sprechen 4/5

The French 'r' and the multiple 'é' sounds can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 3/5

Easily recognizable once you know the 'day-lah-bray' sound.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

vieux maison casser mur état

Als Nächstes lernen

vétuste insalubre rénover restaurer patrimoine

Fortgeschritten

décrépitude délabrement obsolescence déshérence ruine

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective Agreement

Une maison délabrée (f), des bâtiments délabrés (m. pl).

Adjective Placement

L'immeuble délabré (usually follows the noun).

Past Participles as Adjectives

Délabré comes from the verb délabrer.

Adverbial Modification

Un bâtiment extrêmement délabré.

Prepositions with Adjectives

Délabré par le temps (dilapidated by time).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

La maison est délabrée.

The house is dilapidated.

Feminine singular agreement (maison + délabrée).

Le vieux mur est délabré.

The old wall is dilapidated.

Masculine singular agreement (mur + délabré).

C'est un vélo délabré.

It is a dilapidated bike.

Placement of adjective after the noun.

Ma voiture est délabrée.

My car is dilapidated.

Feminine singular agreement (voiture + délabrée).

Les jouets sont délabrés.

The toys are dilapidated.

Masculine plural agreement (jouets + délabrés).

Un bâtiment délabré.

A dilapidated building.

Basic noun-adjective pair.

Le toit est délabré.

The roof is dilapidated.

Masculine singular agreement (toit + délabré).

Elle habite une cabane délabrée.

She lives in a dilapidated shack.

Feminine singular agreement (cabane + délabrée).

Le quartier est plein de maisons délabrées.

The neighborhood is full of dilapidated houses.

Feminine plural agreement (maisons + délabrées).

Il ne veut pas dormir dans cet hôtel délabré.

He doesn't want to sleep in this dilapidated hotel.

Use of 'cet' before a masculine noun starting with a consonant sound.

Nous avons trouvé un vieux bateau délabré sur la plage.

We found an old dilapidated boat on the beach.

Two adjectives ('vieux' and 'délabré') modifying one noun.

Pourquoi l'école est-elle si délabrée ?

Why is the school so dilapidated?

Interrogative sentence with adjective agreement.

Les fenêtres délabrées laissent passer le froid.

The dilapidated windows let the cold in.

Feminine plural agreement (fenêtres + délabrées).

Il a acheté un garage délabré pour pas cher.

He bought a dilapidated garage for cheap.

Adjective following the noun.

Ce pont est délabré et dangereux.

This bridge is dilapidated and dangerous.

Coordinating two adjectives with 'et'.

Regarde ces meubles délabrés dans la rue.

Look at those dilapidated pieces of furniture in the street.

Masculine plural agreement (meubles + délabrés).

La mairie doit rénover ce bâtiment délabré avant qu'il ne s'écroule.

The town hall must renovate this dilapidated building before it collapses.

Use of 'avant que' + subjunctive (though 's'écroule' looks like indicative).

Après sa longue maladie, il avait une santé délabrée.

After his long illness, he had shattered health.

Metaphorical use for health.

L'intérieur de l'église est magnifique, mais l'extérieur est délabré.

The interior of the church is magnificent, but the exterior is dilapidated.

Contrast between two states.

Les locataires se plaignent de l'état délabré de leurs appartements.

The tenants are complaining about the dilapidated state of their apartments.

Noun phrase 'l'état délabré'.

Il est difficile de vendre une propriété aussi délabrée.

It is difficult to sell such a dilapidated property.

Use of 'aussi' to intensify the adjective.

Le mobilier de bureau était si délabré qu'ils ont tout jeté.

The office furniture was so dilapidated that they threw everything away.

Consecutive clause with 'si... que'.

Malgré son aspect délabré, cette voiture fonctionne encore très bien.

Despite its dilapidated appearance, this car still works very well.

Use of 'malgré' to show concession.

Nous avons visité une usine délabrée transformée en musée.

We visited a dilapidated factory transformed into a museum.

Past participle 'transformée' acting as a second adjective.

Le gouvernement a promis des fonds pour restaurer les monuments délabrés.

The government promised funds to restore dilapidated monuments.

Infinitive 'restaurer' followed by a noun phrase.

Le délabrement des infrastructures routières cause de nombreux accidents.

The dilapidation of road infrastructure causes many accidents.

Using the noun form 'délabrement'.

Vivre dans un environnement délabré peut nuire au moral des habitants.

Living in a dilapidated environment can harm the morale of the residents.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive 'Vivre'.

Elle a hérité d'une fortune, mais aussi d'un domaine totalement délabré.

She inherited a fortune, but also a totally dilapidated estate.

Adverb 'totalement' modifying the adjective.

Le système de santé semble délabré par des années de manque de moyens.

The health system seems dilapidated by years of lack of resources.

Passive-like construction with 'par'.

Ce quartier, autrefois riche, est aujourd'hui délabré et délaissé.

This neighborhood, once wealthy, is today dilapidated and abandoned.

Use of 'autrefois' and 'aujourd'hui' for temporal contrast.

Les volets délabrés battaient contre les murs sous l'effet du vent.

The dilapidated shutters were banging against the walls due to the wind.

Imperfect tense for descriptive action.

Il portait une veste délabrée qui témoignait de sa pauvreté.

He was wearing a dilapidated jacket that bore witness to his poverty.

Relative clause 'qui témoignait...'.

L'auteur utilise la métaphore d'une demeure délabrée pour symboliser la chute de la lignée.

The author uses the metaphor of a dilapidated dwelling to symbolize the fall of the lineage.

Complex sentence structure with symbolic meaning.

Le délabrement progressif de la façade révèle les briques d'origine.

The progressive dilapidation of the facade reveals the original bricks.

Scientific/descriptive precision.

Face à ce constat délabré, il est urgent de repenser notre politique urbaine.

Faced with this dilapidated observation, it is urgent to rethink our urban policy.

Abstract use of the adjective.

Rien n'est plus triste qu'un parc d'attractions délabré et silencieux.

Nothing is sadder than a dilapidated and silent amusement park.

Comparative structure 'Rien n'est plus... que'.

Ses finances étaient si délabrées qu'il dut vendre ses derniers biens.

His finances were so dilapidated that he had to sell his last possessions.

Metaphorical use for financial state.

Le vent s'engouffrait dans la charpente délabrée de la vieille grange.

The wind rushed into the dilapidated framework of the old barn.

Precise vocabulary ('charpente').

Cette institution délabrée ne parvient plus à remplir sa mission première.

This dilapidated institution is no longer able to fulfill its primary mission.

Institutional metaphor.

Le décor délabré du théâtre ajoutait une touche de réalisme à la pièce.

The dilapidated theater set added a touch of realism to the play.

Noun phrase used as a subject.

L'ontologie du délabrement nous invite à réfléchir sur l'impermanence des choses.

The ontology of dilapidation invites us to reflect on the impermanence of things.

Highly academic/philosophical register.

Dans son dernier recueil, le poète chante la beauté mélancolique des sites délabrés.

In his latest collection, the poet sings of the melancholy beauty of dilapidated sites.

Literary register ('chante la beauté').

Le délabrement des mœurs, tel que décrit par les moralistes, précède souvent la chute des empires.

The dilapidation of morals, as described by moralists, often precedes the fall of empires.

Historical/philosophical metaphor.

Il n'y a qu'un pas entre le pittoresque et le délabré, une frontière ténue que le temps franchit sans cesse.

There is but a step between the picturesque and the dilapidated, a thin border that time crosses constantly.

Stylistic use of 'Il n'y a qu'un pas'.

La structure même de son raisonnement semblait délabrée, minée par des contradictions internes.

The very structure of his reasoning seemed dilapidated, undermined by internal contradictions.

Abstract/intellectual metaphor.

L'esthétique du délabré occupe une place centrale dans l'œuvre de cet artiste contemporain.

The aesthetic of the dilapidated occupies a central place in the work of this contemporary artist.

Art criticism register.

Par-delà le délabrement physique, on devine encore la noblesse passée de cet édifice.

Beyond the physical dilapidation, one can still guess the past nobility of this building.

Prepositional phrase 'Par-delà'.

Le texte original, délabré par des siècles de transcriptions erronées, reste difficile à interpréter.

The original text, dilapidated by centuries of erroneous transcriptions, remains difficult to interpret.

Metaphorical use for a document.

Häufige Kollokationen

immeuble délabré

santé délabrée

état délabré

maison délabrée

quartier délabré

voiture délabrée

façade délabrée

mobilier délabré

finances délabrées

toiture délabrée

Häufige Phrasen

tomber en délabrement

— To fall into a state of ruin. Used when a building is neglected over time.

Sans entretien, ce monument va tomber en délabrement.

dans un état délabré

— In a dilapidated state. A very common way to describe something's condition.

Le pont est dans un état délabré depuis des années.

aspect délabré

— Dilapidated appearance. Used to describe how something looks on the outside.

L'aspect délabré de la ville a choqué les touristes.

partiellement délabré

— Partially dilapidated. Used when only parts of a structure are ruined.

Le mur est partiellement délabré à cause de l'humidité.

totalement délabré

— Totally dilapidated. Used for extreme cases of ruin.

Le hangar était totalement délabré après l'ouragan.

demeure délabrée

— Dilapidated dwelling. Often used in literary contexts for grand houses.

Il vivait seul dans sa demeure délabrée.

clôture délabrée

— Dilapidated fence. Common in descriptions of rural properties.

Les vaches se sont échappées par la clôture délabrée.

escalier délabré

— Dilapidated staircase. Implies a danger for those walking on it.

Faites attention à l'escalier délabré, il manque des marches.

navire délabré

— Dilapidated ship. Used for old boats that are no longer seaworthy.

Le navire délabré a été abandonné dans le port.

usine délabrée

— Dilapidated factory. Symbolizes industrial decline.

L'usine délabrée est devenue un lieu pour les artistes.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

délabré vs détruit

Détruit means destroyed/leveled; délabré means still standing but in ruins.

délabré vs sale

Sale means dirty; délabré means structural damage.

délabré vs démodé

Démodé means out of style; délabré means physically falling apart.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"être dans un état de délabrement avancé"

— To be in an advanced state of ruin. Used for both buildings and health.

Le patient est arrivé dans un état de délabrement avancé.

Formal

"un château de cartes délabré"

— A dilapidated house of cards. Metaphor for a fragile system about to fail.

Leur plan économique n'est qu'un château de cartes délabré.

Literary

"réparer les pots délabrés"

— To fix the broken/dilapidated pots. A variation of 'réparer les pots cassés' (to pick up the pieces).

C'est toujours à moi de réparer les pots délabrés de l'équipe.

Metaphorical

"vivre dans le délabrement"

— To live in squalor or ruin. Describes someone's life conditions.

Ils ont vécu dans le délabrement pendant toute la guerre.

Neutral

"un esprit délabré"

— A dilapidated mind. Refers to someone whose mental state has deteriorated.

La solitude a fini par lui laisser un esprit délabré.

Literary

"une fortune délabrée"

— A dilapidated fortune. Refers to wealth that has been lost or spent.

Il ne lui reste plus qu'une fortune délabrée après ses mauvais investissements.

Literary

"un rêve délabré"

— A dilapidated dream. A dream that has been ruined by reality.

Il contemple les restes de son rêve délabré.

Poetic

"le délabrement de l'âme"

— The dilapidation of the soul. Used in religious or philosophical contexts.

Le poète parle du délabrement de l'âme face à l'injustice.

Formal

"une façade délabrée"

— A dilapidated facade. Often used metaphorically for someone hiding their problems.

Derrière sa façade délabrée se cache un homme d'honneur.

Metaphorical

"un système délabré jusqu'à la moelle"

— A system dilapidated to the core. Emphasizes total corruption or failure.

L'administration est délabrée jusqu'à la moelle.

Informal

Leicht verwechselbar

délabré vs vétuste

Both mean old and in bad shape.

Vétuste is technical/legal and refers to age-related failure. Délabré is visual and refers to neglect-related ruin.

L'installation électrique est vétuste, mais la maison n'est pas délabrée.

délabré vs décrépit

Both refer to decay.

Décrépit is usually about the surface (peeling) or human age. Délabré is about the whole structure.

Un mur décrépit a besoin de peinture; un mur délabré a besoin de briques.

délabré vs usé

Both mean worn out.

Usé is for small things like clothes or tires. Délabré is for buildings or complex systems.

Mes pneus sont usés, mais mon garage est délabré.

délabré vs abîmé

Both mean damaged.

Abîmé is a general term for any damage. Délabré is specific to advanced decay and ruin.

Le livre est abîmé, mais la bibliothèque est délabrée.

délabré vs miteux

Both imply poor condition.

Miteux focus on the 'shabby/poor' feeling. Délabré focus on the 'falling apart' reality.

Il vit dans un hôtel miteux et délabré.

Satzmuster

La [noun] est délabrée.

La maison est délabrée.

C'est un [noun] délabré.

C'est un pont délabré.

[Noun] est dans un état délabré.

Le mobilier est dans un état délabré.

Un [noun] délabré à cause de [reason].

Un toit délabré à cause de la pluie.

Malgré son aspect délabré, [clause].

Malgré son aspect délabré, elle est solide.

Le délabrement de [noun] est [adjective].

Le délabrement de l'école est inquiétant.

Une [noun] délabrée par [force/time].

Une église délabrée par les siècles.

Sous le vernis du délabrement, [clause].

Sous le vernis du délabrement, on voit l'histoire.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

délabrement (m) - the state of being dilapidated

Verben

délabrer - to dilapidate, to ruin, to tear to shreds

Adjektive

délabré - dilapidated (masculine singular)

délabrée - dilapidated (feminine singular)

Verwandt

lambeau (shred/rag)

délabrant (ruining)

délabreur (one who ruins)

délabure (obsolete term for a tear)

labre (lip - distant anatomical cousin)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in written news and formal speech; moderately common in daily conversation.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'délabré' for a person's clothes in a casual way. → Ses vêtements sont usés.
Délabré is too strong for just 'worn' clothes; it implies they are falling apart like a ruin.
Forgetting the feminine 'e'. → La voiture est délabrée.
Adjectives must agree with the feminine noun 'voiture'.
Confusing 'délabré' with 'déluré'. → N/A
'Déluré' means cheeky or street-smart. They sound similar but have opposite meanings!
Using it for a simple broken object like a glass. → Le verre est cassé.
'Délabré' is for complex structures or systems that have decayed over time.
Spelling it 'delabré' without the first accent. → délabré
The accent aigu is necessary for the correct pronunciation and spelling.

Tipps

Agreement is Key

Always check if your noun is feminine. A 'maison' is always 'délabrée'. This is a common test point for B1 students.

Visualizing the Word

Think of the word 'debris'. Both start with 'de-' and refer to something broken. This helps connect the French word to an English concept.

Buildings vs. Objects

While you can use it for objects, it's most powerful when describing architecture. Use it when you see a 'fixer-upper'.

Reading Zola

If you read 19th-century French literature, you will see this word everywhere. It's a key word for the 'Naturalism' movement.

Pronunciation Practice

Focus on the 'é' sounds. They should be identical. de-la-bré. Don't let the last one sound different from the first.

Social Commentary

In essays, use 'le délabrement' to discuss urban decay or lack of government funding. It sounds very professional.

Don't Overuse

If something is just a bit old, use 'vieux'. Only use 'délabré' when there is real damage or neglect.

Abstract Use

Try using it for 'une économie délabrée' in a presentation to show a higher level of vocabulary.

News Keywords

When you hear 'logement' on the news, listen for 'délabré' or 'insalubre' to understand the condition being discussed.

The 'Shred' Connection

Remember it comes from 'lambeau' (shred). A délabré building is one that is in shreds.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'De-Labor'. If you stop the 'labor' (work/maintenance) on a house, it becomes 'délabré'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a tall, spooky mansion with 'shreds' of curtains and 'shreds' of wood falling off. It's 'délabré' like a 'lambeau' (shred).

Word Web

maison ruine vieux abandonné santé réparer mur toit

Herausforderung

Try to find three things in your city that are 'délabré' and describe them using the word in a full French sentence.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Old French verb 'délabrer,' which dates back to the 14th century. It is a combination of the prefix 'dé-' (expressing undoing or removal) and a root related to 'lambeau' (shred or rag).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To tear into shreds or to reduce to rags. It originally applied to clothes and fabric before moving to buildings.

Romance (Indo-European), from Latin roots through Old French.

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'délabré' to describe someone's home to their face, as it can be taken as an insult to their poverty or lack of care.

In English, we might use 'run-down' for a house or 'shattered' for health. 'Délabré' covers both, but feels more formal than 'run-down'.

The works of Émile Zola, which often describe the 'quartiers délabrés' of 19th-century Paris. The song 'Le Métèque' by Georges Moustaki mentions a 'visage de délabré' (though in a slightly different sense). Victor Hugo's 'Notre-Dame de Paris' describes the cathedral's state as 'délabré' at various points in history.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Real Estate / Housing

logement délabré
travaux de rénovation
état des lieux
marchand de sommeil

History / Tourism

monument délabré
patrimoine historique
site abandonné
vestiges délabrés

Health

santé délabrée
état physique
se délabrer
épuisement

Social Issues

quartier délabré
pauvreté
manque d'entretien
services publics

Literature

demeure délabrée
ambiance gothique
décor délabré
ruine mélancolique

Gesprächseinstiege

"As-tu déjà visité un château délabré en France ?"

"Que penses-tu des quartiers délabrés dans les grandes villes ?"

"Est-il possible de restaurer une maison totalement délabrée ?"

"Connais-tu des lieux délabrés qui sont devenus célèbres ?"

"Pourquoi certains propriétaires laissent-ils leurs bâtiments devenir délabrés ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décrivez un bâtiment délabré que vous avez vu. Pourquoi vous a-t-il marqué ?

Si vous héritiez d'un manoir délabré, que feriez-vous ? Le restaureriez-vous ou le vendriez-vous ?

Pensez-vous que les objets délabrés ont une certaine beauté ? Pourquoi ?

Écrivez une courte histoire se passant dans une usine délabrée.

Comment l'état délabré d'une ville peut-il affecter le moral de ses habitants ?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, but usually only for their health (une santé délabrée) or sometimes their general physical state after much suffering. It sounds very dramatic and suggests they are 'broken down'.

Yes, it almost always has a negative connotation, implying neglect, poverty, or sadness. You wouldn't use it to describe a 'shabby chic' style, which is intentional.

'En ruine' is more extreme. A 'maison délabrée' still has walls and a roof (though they are in bad shape). A 'maison en ruine' is likely missing parts of the roof or walls already.

It is the standard French 'r' produced at the back of the throat, like you are gargling gently. It follows the 'b' sound, which can be tricky. Practice 'bré, bré, bré'.

You can, but it is less common than 'usé' or 'en loques'. Using it for clothes sounds very literary or exaggerated.

Not really. In slang, people would say 'déglingué', 'pété', or 'mort'. 'Délabré' remains a bit more formal or descriptive.

Yes, 'le délabrement'. For example: 'Le délabrement de ce quartier est triste' (The dilapidation of this neighborhood is sad).

In 95% of cases, yes. Adjectives of this length and type in French almost always follow the noun.

Yes, 'une voiture délabrée' is a common way to describe a beat-up, rusty car that looks like it belongs in a junkyard.

Yes, metaphorically. You can talk about 'une entreprise délabrée' or 'des finances délabrées' to mean they are in a state of ruin.

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