Translation guide
Describes something that is thin, weak, easily damaged, or unconvincing. The best Japanese word depends on whether you mean physically fragile, poorly made, or an argument that lacks substance.
Describing materials like paper, fabric, or plastic that are thin and tear easily.
Most common for thin, flimsy materials. Often implies cheapness or lack of durability.
この紙は薄っぺらくてすぐ破れる。
This paper is flimsy and tears easily.
Onomatopoeic; emphasizes thinness and flimsiness, often for paper or cloth. Casual.
この布はペラペラで透けそう。
This cloth is so flimsy it's almost see-through.
Means brittle or fragile; can be used for flimsy materials that break easily.
このプラスチックは脆くてすぐ割れる。
This plastic is flimsy and cracks easily.
Describing objects or structures that are weak, rickety, or cheaply constructed.
Common for cheap, shoddy, flimsy items. Slightly colloquial.
この椅子はちゃちですぐ壊れそうだ。
This chair is flimsy and looks like it'll break any moment.
Means delicate or slender; can imply flimsy when referring to construction. Often used for furniture or build.
華奢な作りの棚なので重い物は置けない。
The shelf is flimsy, so you can't put heavy things on it.
Means poor, weak, or flimsy in construction or quality. More formal.
この橋は貧弱な造りで心配だ。
This bridge is flimsy and makes me worried.
Describing reasoning, evidence, or excuses that are weak and not believable.
Common for flimsy arguments or grounds. Often used in formal contexts.
彼の主張は根拠が薄弱だ。
His argument is based on flimsy evidence.
Literally 'lacking persuasive power'; a natural way to say an argument is flimsy.
彼の言い訳は説得力がない。
His excuse is flimsy.
Means 'full of holes'; used for flimsy arguments or alibis. Colloquial.
彼のアリバイは穴だらけだ。
His alibi is flimsy.
Both mean thin and flimsy, but 薄っぺらい often carries a negative nuance of cheapness, while ペラペラ is more neutral and describes the physical thinness, like flipping pages.
薄い (usui) just means 'thin' and doesn't imply weakness or poor quality. Use 薄っぺらい or other words to convey flimsiness.