- Core Meaning
- The German adjective 'kräftig' primarily means strong, powerful, or robust. It describes something or someone possessing significant physical strength, intensity, or force. It can also refer to a strong flavor or a potent effect.
- Physical Strength
- When describing people or animals, 'kräftig' suggests they are physically strong and well-built. For example, a 'kräftig Mann' is a strong man, and a 'kräftig Hund' is a powerful dog. It implies a healthy and robust physique.
- Intensity and Force
- 'Kräftig' can also describe the intensity of something. A 'kräftig Wind' is a strong wind, capable of exerting considerable force. A 'kräftig Schlag' is a powerful blow. It conveys a sense of significant impact or energy.
- Flavor and Scent
- In culinary contexts, 'kräftig' describes a strong, rich, or intense flavor. A 'kräftig Kaffee' is a strong coffee, and 'kräftig Rotwein' is a full-bodied red wine. Similarly, it can describe a potent scent.
- Effect and Impact
- The word can also refer to a strong or potent effect. For instance, 'kräftig Medikament' means a strong medicine, and 'kräftig Regen' is heavy rain. It implies a significant and noticeable impact.
- Figurative Use
- Beyond the literal, 'kräftig' can be used figuratively. A 'kräftig Argument' is a strong argument, and 'kräftig Unterstützung' means strong support. It signifies something that is convincing or substantial.
Der Mann hat einen kräftigen Griff.
Das ist ein sehr kräftiger Kaffee.
Der Wind wehte sehr kräftig.
- Describing People and Animals
- 'Kräftig' is often used to describe the physical build and strength of people and animals. It suggests they are well-built, muscular, and capable of exerting force. For example, you might say: 'Der Bauarbeiter ist sehr kräftig gebaut.' (The construction worker is built very strongly.) or 'Der Hund ist kräftig und kann schwere Lasten ziehen.' (The dog is powerful and can pull heavy loads.)
- Describing Objects and Forces
- It can also describe the strength or intensity of inanimate objects or natural forces. Think of 'ein kräftiger Wind' (a strong wind) that can blow things around, or 'ein kräftiger Stoß' (a powerful push or shove) that can move something significantly. 'Ein kräftiges Seil' would be a strong rope, capable of holding a lot of weight.
- Describing Flavors and Smells
- In the context of food and drink, 'kräftig' denotes a strong, rich, or intense taste or aroma. 'Ein kräftiger Kaffee' refers to a bold, dark roast coffee, not watery or weak. 'Ein kräftiger Käse' is a cheese with a pronounced, perhaps pungent, flavor. Similarly, 'ein kräftiger Duft' would be a strong or potent smell.
- Describing Effects and Potency
- 'Kräftig' can also describe the potency or effectiveness of something, like medicine or even weather. 'Ein kräftiges Medikament' is a strong medication that has a significant effect. 'Ein kräftiger Regen' means heavy rainfall, not a light drizzle. It implies a substantial and noticeable impact.
- Figurative Usage
- Beyond the literal, 'kräftig' can be used metaphorically to describe something that is substantial, convincing, or well-supported. For example, 'ein kräftiges Argument' is a strong, compelling argument. 'Kräftige Unterstützung' means robust or significant support for a cause or person. It suggests a solid foundation or considerable backing.
Der alte Mann hat immer noch einen kräftigen Körperbau.
Sie trank einen kräftigen Espresso, um wach zu werden.
Der Sturm kam mit kräftigen Böen.
- Everyday Conversations
- You'll hear 'kräftig' frequently in casual conversations. When people talk about their physical condition, they might say, 'Ich fühle mich heute sehr kräftig' (I feel very strong today), or describe someone else's physique, 'Er ist ein kräftiger Mann, er kann schwere Möbel tragen.' (He is a strong man, he can carry heavy furniture.) It's a common way to express robustness.
- Food and Drink Discussions
- In Germany, people often have strong preferences for their coffee or beer. So, you'll hear 'Ich mag meinen Kaffee kräftig' (I like my coffee strong) or 'Das Bier ist mir zu kräftig' (This beer is too strong for me). When describing food, especially hearty meals or strong cheeses, 'kräftig' is also used: 'Das ist ein kräftiges Abendessen.' (That's a hearty dinner.)
- Weather Reports and Descriptions
- When describing weather, 'kräftig' is a natural choice for intensity. You might hear on the news or from a friend, 'Es gab einen kräftigen Wind und starken Regen.' (There was a strong wind and heavy rain.) or 'Wir hatten letzte Nacht einen kräftigen Frost.' (We had a strong frost last night.)
- Discussions about Health and Medicine
- When talking about health remedies or medications, 'kräftig' can denote potency. A doctor might prescribe 'ein kräftiges Medikament' (a strong medication), or someone might talk about 'eine kräftige Erkältung' (a bad cold) that requires strong remedies. It implies a significant effect.
- Sports and Physical Activities
- In sports contexts, 'kräftig' describes powerful movements or strong athletes. A commentator might say, 'Das war ein kräftiger Schuss!' (That was a powerful shot!) or describe a player as having 'einen kräftigen Körperbau' (a strong physique). It's used to emphasize power and strength.
'Ich brauche einen kräftigen Kaffee am Morgen.' - Das hört man oft in Deutschland.
'Der Boxer hat einen kräftigen Hieb ausgeführt.' - Dies könnte man in Sportberichten hören.
'Ein kräftiger Wind wehte den ganzen Tag.' - Typische Beschreibung von Wetter.
- Incorrect Declension
- The most frequent mistake for learners is not correctly declining 'kräftig' when it precedes a noun. German adjectives change their endings based on the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify. For example, saying 'ein kräftig Mann' instead of 'ein kräftigen Mann' is incorrect. Similarly, 'die kräftig Frau' should be 'die kräftige Frau'. Mastering adjective declension is crucial for accurate German.
- Confusing with 'stark'
- While 'kräftig' and 'stark' both translate to 'strong', they are not always interchangeable. 'Stark' is a more general term for strength, often used for abstract concepts like 'starke Gefühle' (strong feelings) or 'starker Glaube' (strong belief). 'Kräftig' tends to lean more towards physical strength, robustness, intensity, or a strong, rich flavor. Using 'stark' for a strong coffee might sound a bit odd compared to 'kräftig Kaffee'.
- Overuse or Misapplication
- Learners might sometimes overuse 'kräftig' where a more specific adjective would be better, or misapply it to situations where it doesn't quite fit. For instance, while a 'kräftig Regen' is correct for heavy rain, calling a very light shower 'kräftig' would be inaccurate. It implies a significant force or intensity, not just any precipitation.
- Incorrect Placement
- While 'kräftig' is an adjective, its placement can sometimes be tricky. When used predicatively (after the verb 'sein' or 'werden'), it doesn't take an ending: 'Der Mann ist kräftig.' (The man is strong.) However, when it modifies a noun directly, it needs declension. Confusing these positions can lead to grammatical errors.
Mistake: 'Ich habe ein kräftig Kaffee getrunken.'
Correction: 'Ich habe einen kräftigen Kaffee getrunken.'
Mistake: 'Das ist ein starkes Bier.'
Often, 'kräftig' is better for describing the robust flavor of beer: 'Das ist ein kräftiges Bier.'
- Stark
- 'Stark' is the most common synonym for 'strong'. It's a very general term and can be used in almost any context where strength is implied, from physical strength ('ein starker Mann') to abstract concepts ('starke Gefühle', 'starke Wirtschaft'). 'Kräftig' is often more specific, implying robustness, power, or intensity, especially in physical contexts, flavors, or forceful effects.
- Mächtig
- 'Mächtig' translates to 'mighty' or 'powerful'. It often implies a greater degree of power, influence, or authority than 'kräftig'. You would use 'mächtig' for a 'mächtiger Herrscher' (mighty ruler) or a 'mächtige Armee' (powerful army). While both suggest power, 'mächtig' carries connotations of dominance and significant influence.
- Robust
- 'Robust' is a direct cognate and often used similarly to 'kräftig' when describing physical health, build, or resilience. 'Ein robuster Körperbau' is very similar to 'ein kräftiger Körperbau'. It implies sturdiness and resistance to damage or illness. It's a good alternative when emphasizing health and durability.
- Intensiv
- 'Intensiv' means 'intensive' or 'intense'. It's a great alternative when 'kräftig' is used to describe flavors, smells, or effects. For example, 'ein intensiver Geschmack' is very close in meaning to 'ein kräftiger Geschmack'. It focuses on the high degree or concentration of a quality.
- Gehaltvoll
- 'Gehaltvoll' translates to 'rich', 'full-bodied', or 'substantial'. It's particularly useful when describing food or drink with a complex and satisfying flavor profile, similar to how 'kräftig' is used for coffee or wine. 'Ein gehaltvoller Wein' is a wine that is full-bodied and rich in flavor.
'Kräftig' vs 'Stark': 'Ein kräftiger Mann' (strong physique) vs 'Ein starker Wille' (strong will).
'Kräftig' vs 'Intensiv': 'Ein kräftiger Kaffee' (strong, bold coffee) vs 'Ein intensives Aroma' (an intense aroma).
'Kräftig' vs 'Robust': 'Ein kräftiger Körper' (strong body) vs 'Ein robustes System' (a robust system).
أمثلة حسب المستوى
Der Mann ist kräftig.
The man is strong.
'kräftig' used predicatively, no adjective ending.
Das ist ein kräftiges Tier.
That is a strong animal.
'kräftig' with neuter noun in nominative case, ending -es.
Ich trinke kräftigen Tee.
I drink strong tea.
'kräftig' with masculine noun in accusative case, ending -en.
Sie hat kräftige Hände.
She has strong hands.
'kräftig' with feminine plural noun in accusative case, ending -e.
Der Wind ist kräftig.
The wind is strong.
'kräftig' used predicatively.
Ein kräftiger Schlag.
A strong blow/hit.
'kräftig' with masculine noun in nominative case, ending -er.
Sie hat kräftige Muskeln.
She has strong muscles.
'kräftig' with feminine plural noun in accusative case, ending -e.
Der Kaffee ist kräftig.
The coffee is strong.
'kräftig' used predicatively.
Der alte Mann hat einen kräftigen Griff.
The old man has a strong grip.
Masculine accusative declension: kräftig + en.
Das ist ein kräftiges Rotwein.
This is a strong red wine.
Neuter nominative declension: kräftig + es.
Wir brauchen kräftige Unterstützung.
We need strong support.
Feminine accusative declension: kräftig + e.
Der Hund ist sehr kräftig gebaut.
The dog is built very strongly.
'kräftig' used predicatively with 'gebaut'.
Sie hat einen kräftigen Atem.
She has a strong breath.
Masculine accusative declension: kräftig + en.
Der Sturm hat uns kräftige Sorgen bereitet.
The storm caused us considerable worry.
Feminine accusative declension: kräftig + e.
Er hat kräftige Argumente vorgebracht.
He presented strong arguments.
Masculine accusative declension: kräftig + e.
Das Haus steht auf einem kräftigen Fundament.
The house stands on a strong foundation.
Neuter dative declension: kräftig + en.
Der Bergsteiger war trotz seines Alters noch sehr kräftig.
The mountaineer was still very strong despite his age.
'kräftig' used predicatively, indicating physical condition.
Man riet ihm, ein kräftigeres Medikament zu nehmen.
He was advised to take a stronger medicine.
Neuter comparative adjective in accusative case: kräftig + eres.
Die Landschaft ist geprägt von kräftigen Farben.
The landscape is characterized by strong colors.
Feminine dative plural declension: kräftig + en.
Er hat eine kräftige Stimme, die man weit hören kann.
He has a powerful voice that can be heard far away.
Feminine nominative declension: kräftig + e.
Der neue Motor ist deutlich kräftiger als der alte.
The new engine is significantly more powerful than the old one.
Comparative form 'kräftiger' used predicatively.
Sie kaufte einen kräftigen Anzug für das Vorstellungsgespräch.
She bought a smart/well-made suit for the job interview.
Masculine accusative declension: kräftig + en.
Die Tradition wird hier noch kräftig gelebt.
The tradition is still strongly practiced here.
'kräftig' used adverbially, meaning 'strongly' or 'actively'.
Wir genossen ein kräftiges Abendessen nach der Wanderung.
We enjoyed a hearty dinner after the hike.
Neuter accusative declension: kräftig + es.
Die Entscheidung des Gerichts war kräftig und unmissverständlich.
The court's decision was strong and unambiguous.
'kräftig' used predicatively to describe the nature of a decision.
محتوى ذو صلة
هذه الكلمة بلغات أخرى
مزيد من كلمات sports
abkühlen
B1يجب أن يبرد الحساء قبل تقديمه.
amateurhaft
A2هاوٍ أو غير محترف.
anfeuern
A2تشجيع شخص ما، خاصة في الرياضة، من خلال الهتاف أو التصفيق.
angreifen
A2قرر الفريق الهجوم منذ الدقيقة الأولى.
anstrengen
A2بذل الكثير من الجهد والطاقة في مهمة ما لتحقيق هدف.
anstrengend
A2كان العمل شاقاً جداً هذا اليوم.
antreten
A2بدأ وظيفة أو رحلة.
applaudieren
A2يصفق. صفق الجمهور للمغني بعد الأغنية. إنه تعبير عن الإعجاب والتقدير.
athletisch
A2قوي بدنياً وجيد في الرياضة. (Physically strong and good at sports.)
aufregend
A2شيء يجعلك تشعر بالحماس والسعادة الشديدة.
