be unwieldy

[/bi ʌnˈwiːldi/]
verb phrase
ser desajeitado; ser difícil de manusear; ser pesado e volumoso
1. to be difficult to handle, manage, or use due to size, weight, or awkward shape
The old suitcase proved to be unwieldy for the elderly woman to carry.
A mala antiga provou ser desajeitada para a mulher idosa carregar.
2. to be cumbersome or impractical in operation or application
The new software system is be unwieldy and requires extensive training.
O novo sistema de software é desajeitado e requer treinamento extenso.
3. to be characterized by awkwardness or lack of dexterity
His movements seemed to be unwieldy due to the heavy protective gear.
Seus movimentos pareciam desajeitados por causa do equipamento de proteção pesado.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, 'be unwieldy' is commonly used to describe objects, systems, or processes that are impractical or difficult to work with. In corporate/tech environments, it often describes software, bureaucratic procedures, or organizational structures that lack efficiency. Brazilians may use more colloquial expressions like 'ser chato' in informal conversation, while maintaining formal alternatives in professional settings.
NYC Slang
be a pain to lug around; be clunky
Synonyms / Sinônimos
be cumbersomebe awkwardbe bulkybe hard to handlebe unmanageable
Antonyms / Antônimos
be handybe manageablebe convenientbe practicalbe easy to use

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser desajeitado; ser difícil de manusear
most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
ser chato de mexer com
colloquial, informal expression
São Paulo
ser problemático no manuseio
more formal business/technical usage
Portugal
ser volumoso; ser difícil de manobrar
Portuguese European variant emphasizes bulk and movement difficulty

Related Words

unwieldycumbersomeawkwardbulkydifficult to manageimpractical

Related Idioms & Phrases

a square peg in a round hole
like a fish out of water
hard to get around
more trouble than it's worth
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