frágil, fraco, delicado, inconsistente
1. thin and easily torn or broken; not sturdy or durable
The tent was made of flimsy material that wouldn't withstand heavy rain.
A barraca era feita de material frágil que não resistiria a chuva pesada.
2. lacking strength, substance, or validity; not convincing or reliable
His excuse for being late was flimsy at best.
Sua desculpa por chegar atrasado era fraca na melhor das hipóteses.
3. insubstantial or poorly constructed; of poor quality
The flimsy wooden chair broke under his weight.
A cadeira de madeira frágil quebrou sob seu peso.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, 'flimsy' is commonly used to describe both physical weakness (poor quality products) and metaphorical weakness (unconvincing arguments or excuses). In Brazil, the term reflects the cultural emphasis on durability and 'jeito' (way of doing things), making it relevant when discussing quality of construction or the reliability of explanations. The word carries a somewhat dismissive tone in both cultures.
NYC Slang
weak sauce, flimsy, sketch (when referring to unconvincing arguments)
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