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A2 adjective #4,500 más común 10 min de lectura

heil

Top 4,500

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos heil en 30 segundos

Explicación heil in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'heil' as a basic word to describe objects that are not broken. It is the opposite of 'kaputt.' You use it in simple sentences like 'Das Glas ist heil.' It helps you talk about toys, dishes, or simple things in the house. You also learn it in the context of arriving safely, like saying 'Ich bin heil da' (I am here safe). At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar; just use it to mean 'not broken' or 'not hurt.'

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At the A2 level, you start using 'heil' in more common phrases. You learn 'heil ankommen' (to arrive safely) and 'heil bleiben' (to stay intact). You might use it to describe a small injury that has healed, like 'Mein Finger ist wieder heil.' You also begin to see it with adjective endings, such as 'eine heile Tasse.' This level focuses on everyday communication about travel, household chores, and simple health descriptions where 'heil' is very useful.

At the B1 level, you encounter the metaphorical use of 'heil,' specifically in the phrase 'die heile Welt' (the ideal/intact world). You start to understand that 'heil' can describe situations or atmospheres, not just physical objects. You also learn the compound 'heilfroh' to express being very relieved. You should be able to distinguish between 'heil' (intact) and 'geheilt' (cured by a doctor) and use them correctly in past tense sentences like 'Die Wunde ist gut verheilt.'

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At the B2 level, you use 'heil' with more nuance. You understand its use in literature and news to describe social stability or the 'illusion' of a perfect life. You can use synonyms like 'intakt' or 'unversehrt' depending on the formality of the situation. You also learn more complex idioms and understand the historical weight of the word 'Heil' as a noun, ensuring you use the adjective 'heil' appropriately without causing misunderstanding in sensitive contexts.

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the stylistic differences between 'heil,' 'unbeschädigt,' and 'makellos.' You can discuss the concept of 'Heilsgeschichte' (sacred history) or philosophical ideas of 'Heil' (salvation/wholeness), though these are nouns. You use the adjective 'heil' effortlessly in complex sentence structures and can identify irony when someone speaks of a 'heile Familie' that is clearly dysfunctional. Your vocabulary is precise enough to choose 'heil' for its specific connotation of 'restored wholeness.'

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'heil' and its archaic or poetic connotations. You can analyze its use in classical German literature (like Goethe or Schiller) where it might carry meanings of 'blessed' or 'holy' (heilig). You understand the etymological connection to English 'whole' and 'holy' and can use this knowledge to interpret obscure texts. You use the word with perfect register awareness, knowing exactly when 'heil' sounds folksy, comforting, or ironically critical.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

heil en 30 segundos

Heil means intact or unbroken, primarily used for physical objects like glass or toys.
It also refers to skin healing or arriving safely after a trip (safe and sound).
The compound 'heilfroh' means extremely relieved or very happy about a positive outcome.
Avoid using 'Heil' as a noun or greeting due to its negative historical context in Germany.

The German adjective heil is a multifaceted word that primarily translates to 'intact,' 'whole,' 'undamaged,' or 'healed.' At its core, it describes a state where something that could have been broken, hurt, or divided remains in its original, functional, or healthy condition. For English speakers, it is helpful to think of the word 'hale' (as in 'hale and hearty') or the suffix '-heal,' as they share the same Germanic roots. In modern German, you will encounter heil in three main contexts: physical objects that aren't broken, physical health (specifically skin or limbs), and metaphorical concepts of safety or social harmony.

Physical Integrity: When a child drops a glass and it doesn't shatter, a German speaker would exclaim: 'Es ist noch heil!' Here, heil acts as the direct opposite of kaputt (broken) or zerbrochen (shattered). It implies that the structure is completely preserved.
Biological Healing: In a medical sense, heil refers to tissue that has recovered. If you have a cut on your finger and the skin has closed perfectly without a scar, the skin is 'wieder heil.' While 'gesund' (healthy) describes the general state of the body, heil specifically focuses on the restoration of a previously damaged part.
Safety and Arrival: One of the most common everyday uses is the phrase 'heil ankommen.' If someone travels through a storm or a long journey, you hope they arrive 'heil'—meaning safe, sound, and without injury or accident.

Gott sei Dank ist die Vase beim Umzug heil geblieben.

Translation: Thank God the vase remained intact during the move.

Beyond the literal, heil carries a heavy socio-cultural weight in the expression 'die heile Welt.' This refers to an idealized, idyllic world where everything is in order, often used with a touch of irony to suggest that such a state is illusory or overly simplistic. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for a time or place where social structures were 'intact.' However, learners must be cautious: while the adjective heil is perfectly innocent and common, the noun/interjection 'Heil' has a dark historical association with the Nazi era. As an adjective meaning 'intact,' it remains a daily necessity in the German language, but context is everything.

Nach dem Unfall war er froh, heil aus dem Auto herauszukommen.

Translation: After the accident, he was glad to get out of the car in one piece.

In summary, use heil when you want to emphasize that something has survived a potential threat to its integrity. Whether it is a fragile package, a wounded knee, or a traveler returning home, heil signifies the positive state of being whole and functional. It is less about 'perfection' and more about 'survival' and 'restoration.'

Using heil correctly involves understanding its role as a predicative adjective (following a verb like 'sein' or 'bleiben') and as an attributive adjective (before a noun). While it is more common in predicative use, its attributive forms require standard German adjective endings. Let's explore the grammatical patterns that will make your German sound natural and precise.

Predictive Use (State of Being): The most frequent way to use heil is with the verbs sein (to be), bleiben (to stay), and werden (to become).
Example: 'Ist das Display noch heil?' (Is the display still intact?)
Adverbial Use (Manner of Action): It often describes *how* someone arrives or survives.
Example: 'Wir sind heil zu Hause angekommen.' (We arrived home safe and sound.)
Attributive Use (Description): When placed before a noun, it takes endings: 'eine heile Tasse' (an intact cup), 'ein heiles Spielzeug' (an intact toy). This is particularly common in the set phrase 'eine heile Welt'.

Die Wunde am Knie ist fast wieder heil.

Translation: The wound on the knee is almost healed/whole again.

One interesting nuance is the combination with 'froh' (happy). The compound adjective heilfroh is an extremely popular way to say 'extremely relieved' or 'dead glad.' It intensifies the relief that something didn't go wrong. For example: 'Ich bin heilfroh, dass ich den Bus noch erwischt habe.' (I am so glad I caught the bus.)

Er wollte die heile Stimmung der Feier nicht ruinieren.

Translation: He didn't want to ruin the peaceful/intact atmosphere of the party.

When talking about electronics, heil is used for the physical state, while funktioniert is used for the software or internal mechanics. If a phone screen isn't cracked, it is heil, even if it won't turn on. If it turns on but the screen is cracked, it is nicht mehr heil, but it still funktioniert. This distinction is vital for precise communication in German-speaking environments.

You will hear heil in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from domestic mishaps to serious news reports. It is a word that bridges the gap between childhood comfort and adult pragmatism. Let's look at the specific domains where this word thrives.

In the Household: Parents are perhaps the most frequent users. 'Lass das Spielzeug heil!' (Leave the toy intact/Don't break the toy!) is a common refrain. When checking the aftermath of a dropped plate, the first question is always: 'Ist es noch heil?'
Travel and Logistics: When receiving a package that looks battered on the outside, a German recipient might say, 'Hoffentlich ist der Inhalt heil geblieben.' (Hopefully the contents remained undamaged.) Similarly, after a turbulent flight, passengers might message their families: 'Wir sind heil gelandet.'
The Media and Literature: Journalists often use the term 'die heile Welt' when discussing social issues, contrastingly showing that the 'ideal world' of the past or of certain social classes is under threat. It is a powerful rhetorical tool to describe stability or the lack thereof.

„Heile, heile Segen, drei Tage Regen...“

Translation: A traditional nursery rhyme used to comfort children when they get a small injury.

In professional settings, particularly in craft or repair shops, a technician might evaluate a machine and say: 'Der Motor ist noch heil, aber der Riemen ist gerissen.' (The motor is still intact/working, but the belt is snapped.) Here, it serves as a quick diagnostic term to separate what is salvageable from what is broken.

Das Päckchen kam trotz der schlechten Verpackung heil an.

Translation: The small package arrived intact despite the poor packaging.

Finally, in more abstract discussions, you might hear 'den Schein der heilen Welt wahren' (to maintain the appearance of an intact world). This is a common idiom in psychological or sociological contexts to describe people who pretend everything is fine when it is actually falling apart. Understanding heil in these varied contexts allows you to move beyond basic vocabulary into the realm of nuanced German thought.

While heil is a relatively short and simple word, its usage is fraught with subtle traps for English speakers. Because English uses different words for 'intact,' 'healed,' and 'safe,' learners often over-apply or under-apply heil in ways that sound unnatural to native ears.

Mistaking 'Heil' for 'Gesund': A common error is saying 'Ich bin wieder heil' when you mean 'I am healthy again' after a flu. Heil refers to structural integrity or skin healing. If you had a fever, you are gesund. If you had a broken leg and the bone has knitted, the leg is heil.
Confusion with 'Geheilt': 'Geheilt' is the past participle of 'heilen' (to heal). Use 'geheilt' for diseases or patients (e.g., 'Der Patient ist geheilt'). Use heil for the physical part that was wounded (e.g., 'Die Haut ist wieder heil').
Historical Sensitivity: As mentioned, never use 'Heil' as a greeting or a standalone exclamation. While the adjective heil is safe, using the word in a way that mimics Nazi terminology is illegal and socially unacceptable in Germany. Stick to using it as an adjective describing objects or safety.

Incorrect: Mein Computer ist wieder heil, weil ich die Software installiert habe.
Correct: Mein Computer funktioniert wieder.

Note: Use 'heil' for physical parts, 'funktionieren' for operation.

Another mistake is using heil to mean 'entirely' or 'completely.' In English, we might say 'the whole day.' In German, this is 'der ganze Tag,' never 'der heile Tag.' Heil is about the state of being unbroken, not the quantity or duration of something.

Ist das Fenster noch heil? (Correct for physical glass integrity)

Lastly, remember that heil is an adjective, not a verb. You cannot 'heil' a thing; you can 'heilen' (to heal) a wound or 'reparieren' (to repair) a car. Keeping these distinctions clear will prevent confusion and help you sound like a more advanced speaker.

German has a rich vocabulary for describing the state of objects and people. While heil is versatile, choosing a more specific synonym can add precision to your speech. Let's compare heil with its closest relatives.

Intakt vs. Heil: Intakt is more formal and technical. You would use it for systems, mechanisms, or ecological habitats. Heil is more everyday and physical.
Example: 'Das Ökosystem ist noch intakt.' vs 'Die Tasse ist noch heil.'
Ganz vs. Heil: Ganz is the most common synonym. It simply means 'whole' or 'complete.' In many cases, they are interchangeable ('Die Schüssel ist noch ganz' / 'Die Schüssel ist noch heil'), but ganz is broader and less focused on the 'healing/safety' aspect.
Unversehrt vs. Heil: Unversehrt means 'unscathed' or 'unharmed.' It is more formal than heil and is often used in police reports or historical texts regarding people or monuments surviving a disaster.

Obwohl das Haus alt ist, ist die Bausubstanz völlig intakt.

Translation: Although the house is old, the building fabric is completely intact.

When talking about health, you might consider genesen (to recover/convalesce). While heil describes the final state of the skin, genesen describes the process of getting better after a serious illness. For emotional states, you might use ungebrochen (unbroken), like 'ein ungebrochener Wille' (an unbroken will), where heil would sound too literal.

Alle Passagiere blieben bei der Notlandung unversehrt.

Translation: All passengers remained unharmed during the emergency landing.

Choosing the right word depends on your audience. In a casual conversation with friends, ganz or heil is perfect. In a business report about a delivery, use unbeschädigt. In a medical report, use verheilt. Mastering these alternatives will make you sound more like a native speaker and less like a student relying on a single dictionary entry.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The English word 'holy' and the German word 'heilig' both come from this same root, suggesting that 'holiness' was originally seen as a state of being 'whole' or 'complete.'

Guía de pronunciación

UK /haɪl/

US /haɪl/

Single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.

Rima con

Teil Seil Eile Feile Meile steil weil geil (slang)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it like 'hail' (the weather). In German, 'ai/ei' is always 'eye'.
Confusing it with 'hell' (bright). 'Heil' has a long diphthong.
Muttering the 'l'. The German 'l' is bright and clear.
Over-aspirating the 'h' like a throat clearing.
Shortening the vowel sound too much.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts, though abstract uses require context.

Escritura 3/5

Requires knowledge of adjective endings when used attributively.

Expresión oral 2/5

Very common in daily life; easy to pronounce.

Escucha 2/5

Clearly audible, but must be distinguished from 'heilig' or 'Heil'.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

kaputt ganz ankommen bleiben wieder

Aprende después

heilen Heilung unversehrt intakt unbeschädigt

Avanzado

Heilsgeschichte Heiligtum genesen restituieren

Gramática que debes saber

Adjective Declension

Ein heiles Glas (neuter, nominative).

Predicative Adjectives

Das Glas ist heil (no ending after 'ist').

Compound Adjectives

Heilfroh (intensifier 'heil' + 'froh').

Adverbial Usage

Er kam heil an (describes the verb 'ankommen').

Antonym construction

Nicht mehr heil (negation for broken).

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Ejemplos por nivel

Ist das Glas noch heil?

Is the glass still intact?

Simple predicative use with 'sein'.

Mein Spielzeug ist heil.

My toy is intact.

Subject + Verb + Adjective.

Die Tasse ist nicht kaputt, sie ist heil.

The cup is not broken, it is intact.

Contrast between 'kaputt' and 'heil'.

Bist du heil?

Are you okay (not hurt)?

Used for personal safety.

Das Fenster ist noch heil.

The window is still intact.

Describing a physical state.

Alles ist heil geblieben.

Everything remained intact.

Use of 'bleiben' (to stay/remain).

Ist dein Handy noch heil?

Is your phone still intact?

Common everyday question.

Die Puppe ist wieder heil.

The doll is whole again.

Using 'wieder' to show restoration.

Wir sind heil in Berlin angekommen.

We arrived safely in Berlin.

Adverbial use with 'ankommen'.

Die Wunde ist fast wieder heil.

The wound is almost healed.

Medical context for skin.

Ich habe eine heile Vase gefunden.

I found an intact vase.

Attributive use with feminine ending -e.

Hoffentlich bleibt das Auto heil.

Hopefully the car stays intact.

Expressing a wish with 'bleiben'.

Bringen Sie das Paket bitte heil zum Nachbarn.

Please take the package safely to the neighbor.

Imperative sentence.

Nach dem Sturz war zum Glück noch alles heil.

After the fall, fortunately everything was still intact.

Prepositional phrase 'Nach dem Sturz'.

Ist die Brille noch heil?

Are the glasses still intact?

Singular noun in German (die Brille).

Das heile Spielzeug liegt im Regal.

The intact toy is on the shelf.

Attributive use with definite article.

Ich bin heilfroh, dass dir nichts passiert ist.

I am dead glad that nothing happened to you.

Compound adjective 'heilfroh'.

Sie träumt von einer heilen Welt.

She dreams of an ideal/perfect world.

Idiomatic expression 'heile Welt'.

Das Paket kam heil bei mir an.

The package arrived intact at my place.

Common phrase for shipping.

Ist deine Haut nach dem Sonnenbrand wieder heil?

Is your skin healed again after the sunburn?

Specific use for skin recovery.

Er wollte das heile Bild der Familie bewahren.

He wanted to preserve the intact image of the family.

Metaphorical use for reputation.

Trotz des Sturms ist das Dach heil geblieben.

Despite the storm, the roof remained intact.

Genitive preposition 'Trotz des Sturms'.

Ich mache das kaputte Rad wieder heile.

I'll fix the broken bike again.

Colloquial phrase 'heile machen'.

Wir sind heil aus der Sache herausgekommen.

We got out of the situation unscathed.

Abstract use for a 'situation'.

Die politische Lage ist weit davon entfernt, heil zu sein.

The political situation is far from being intact/stable.

Extended metaphorical use.

Es ist ein Wunder, dass er heil aus den Trümmern gerettet wurde.

It is a miracle that he was rescued from the rubble intact.

Passive voice construction.

Die heile Fassade des Hauses täuscht über den Verfall im Inneren hinweg.

The intact facade of the house hides the decay inside.

Complex sentence with 'hinwegtäuschen'.

Er kam mit heiler Haut davon.

He got away with a whole skin (escaped unharmed).

Idiom 'mit heiler Haut davonkommen'.

Die Natur braucht Zeit, um nach dem Brand wieder heil zu werden.

Nature needs time to become whole again after the fire.

Infinitive clause with 'um...zu'.

Das Vertrauen ist nicht mehr so leicht heil zu machen.

Trust is not so easily made whole again.

Using 'heil machen' for abstract nouns.

Sie wirkte in ihrer heilen, kleinen Welt sehr glücklich.

She seemed very happy in her perfect, little world.

Adjective series with commas.

Ist der Mechanismus noch heil oder muss er ersetzt werden?

Is the mechanism still intact or does it need to be replaced?

Technical context.

Die Sehnsucht nach einer heilen Welt ist in Krisenzeiten besonders groß.

The longing for an intact world is particularly great in times of crisis.

Abstract noun phrase.

Es gilt, die heile Struktur des historischen Stadtkerns zu bewahren.

It is important to preserve the intact structure of the historical city center.

Formal 'Es gilt...' construction.

Dass er diese gefährliche Expedition heil überstanden hat, grenzt an ein Wunder.

That he survived this dangerous expedition unscathed borders on a miracle.

Subordinate clause as a subject.

Der Film spielt mit dem Kontrast zwischen heiler Idylle und grauenhafter Realität.

The film plays with the contrast between an intact idyll and horrific reality.

Literary/Film analysis vocabulary.

Nach jahrelangem Streit ist das Verhältnis der Geschwister endlich wieder heil.

After years of quarreling, the siblings' relationship is finally whole again.

Applying 'heil' to interpersonal relationships.

Das Porzellan wurde so sorgfältig verpackt, dass es die Reise heil überstand.

The porcelain was packed so carefully that it survived the journey intact.

Result clause with 'so...dass'.

Manche Wunden werden nie wieder ganz heil, auch wenn die Zeit vergeht.

Some wounds never become completely whole again, even as time passes.

Philosophical use.

Er ist ein Verfechter der heilen, bürgerlichen Moral.

He is an advocate of intact, bourgeois morality.

Sociological context.

In der Romantik wurde die Natur oft als heiler Gegenentwurf zur Zivilisation verklärt.

In Romanticism, nature was often transfigured as an intact counter-model to civilization.

Academic historical analysis.

Das Werk versucht, die heile Ganzheit des Seins poetisch zu fassen.

The work attempts to poetically grasp the intact wholeness of being.

Highly abstract philosophical language.

Trotz der massiven Kritik blieb sein Ruf weitestgehend heil.

Despite the massive criticism, his reputation remained largely intact.

Metaphorical use for reputation (Ruf).

Die heile Oberfläche des Sees spiegelte die unberührte Landschaft wider.

The intact surface of the lake reflected the untouched landscape.

Poetic description.

Es ist fraglich, ob das soziale Gefüge nach dieser Zerreißprobe wieder heil wird.

It is questionable whether the social fabric will become whole again after this ordeal.

Complex social commentary.

Sie flüchtete sich in die heile Welt ihrer Kindheitserinnerungen.

She took refuge in the intact world of her childhood memories.

Psychological nuance.

Der Autor dekonstruiert den Mythos der heilen Familie.

The author deconstructs the myth of the intact family.

Literary criticism.

Nur wer heil aus dem Labyrinth der Bürokratie findet, kann Erfolg haben.

Only those who find their way intact out of the labyrinth of bureaucracy can have success.

Metaphorical use in business/law.

Colocaciones comunes

heil ankommen

heil bleiben

wieder heil sein

heile Welt

heilfroh sein

mit heiler Haut davonkommen

heile machen

fast wieder heil

heil überstehen

nicht mehr heil

Frases Comunes

Heile, heile Segen

— A comforting rhyme for children with minor injuries. It suggests that the pain will go away soon.

Heile, heile Segen, morgen gibt es Regen.

Heil und Ganz

— Completely intact. Often used to emphasize that nothing at all was damaged.

Das Paket kam heil und ganz an.

Alles heil?

— Is everything okay? / Is anything broken? Usually asked after a small accident.

Du bist hingefallen! Alles heil?

Wieder heil werden

— To get better or to be repaired. Used for both bodies and objects.

Das wird schon wieder heil.

Ein heiles Bild

— An intact or perfect image/reputation.

Sie wollte das heile Bild ihrer Ehe wahren.

Heile Welt spielen

— To pretend that everything is perfect when it is not.

Hör auf, uns heile Welt vorzuspielen!

Heilfroh darüber sein

— To be extremely relieved about something.

Ich bin heilfroh darüber, dass es nicht regnet.

Heil herauskommen

— To escape a situation without damage.

Er ist heil aus dem brennenden Haus herausgekommen.

Die heile Familie

— The 'perfect' family, often used to describe traditional or idealized family structures.

Das Klischee der heilen Familie existiert kaum noch.

Heil geblieben

— Remained intact. Very common when talking about fragile items.

Die Brille ist zum Glück heil geblieben.

Se confunde a menudo con

heil vs heilig

Means 'holy' or 'sacred'. 'Heil' is 'intact'.

heil vs geheilt

The past participle of 'to heal'. Used for diseases, while 'heil' is for structure/skin.

heil vs ganz

'Ganz' means 'whole' or 'quite'. 'Heil' specifically means 'unbroken'.

Modismos y expresiones

"Mit heiler Haut davonkommen"

— To escape a dangerous or difficult situation without being harmed or suffering serious consequences.

Der Politiker kam nach dem Skandal mit heiler Haut davon.

neutral/informal

"Die heile Welt"

— An idealized, peaceful world where no problems exist (often used ironically).

In Werbespots wird oft eine heile Welt suggeriert.

neutral

"Etwas heile machen"

— To fix something that is broken.

Papa, kannst du meine Puppe heile machen?

informal/child-friendly

"Heilfroh sein"

— To be extremely relieved.

Ich bin heilfroh, dass die Prüfung vorbei ist.

neutral/informal

"Heile, heile Segen"

— A nursery rhyme used to soothe children's pain.

Die Mutter sang 'Heile, heile Segen', als das Kind weinte.

child-friendly

"In seiner eigenen heilen Welt leben"

— To be out of touch with reality, believing everything is fine.

Er sieht die Probleme nicht; er lebt in seiner eigenen heilen Welt.

informal/critical

"Den Schein der heilen Welt wahren"

— To keep up appearances that everything is perfect.

Sie wollten vor den Nachbarn den Schein der heilen Welt wahren.

neutral

"Heil durchkommen"

— To pass through a difficult phase or place without damage.

Hoffentlich kommen wir heil durch den Winter.

neutral

"Wieder heil sein"

— To be fully recovered/repaired.

Nach der Operation war er bald wieder heil.

neutral

"Heil ankommen"

— To arrive safe and sound.

Schreib mir, wenn du heil angekommen bist!

neutral

Fácil de confundir

heil vs Heil

It is the noun form and also a historical greeting.

The adjective 'heil' (lowercase) is a common word for 'intact'. The noun 'Heil' (uppercase) refers to salvation or was used in Nazi slogans. Use the adjective freely, but avoid the noun in casual speech.

Adjective: Das Glas ist heil. Noun: Er suchte sein Heil in der Flucht.

heil vs heilen

It is the verb form.

You use 'heilen' for the process of getting better. You use 'heil' for the state of being better.

Verb: Die Wunde heilt. Adjective: Die Wunde ist heil.

heil vs hell

Similar sound to English speakers.

'Hell' means bright or light-colored. 'Heil' means intact.

Das Licht ist hell. Das Glas ist heil.

heil vs hale

English cognate.

English 'hale' is old-fashioned and mostly for health. German 'heil' is very common and used for objects.

He is hale and hearty. Das Handy ist noch heil.

heil vs geheilt

Both relate to healing.

'Geheilt' is used for people/illnesses. 'Heil' is for parts of the body (skin/bones) or objects.

Der Kranke ist geheilt. Der Knochen ist wieder heil.

Patrones de oraciones

[Subject] ist [heil].

Das Spielzeug ist heil.

[Subject] ist [wieder] [heil].

Mein Finger ist wieder heil.

[Subject] sind [heil] angekommen.

Wir sind heil angekommen.

Ich bin [heilfroh], dass [Subordinate Clause].

Ich bin heilfroh, dass du anrufst.

In einer [heilen] Welt [Verb]...

In einer heilen Welt gäbe es keinen Krieg.

[Subject] ist mit [heiler Haut] davongekommen.

Der Fahrer ist mit heiler Haut davongekommen.

Die [heile] Fassade [Verb]...

Die heile Fassade verbarg die Probleme.

Das [Heil] der [Noun]...

Das Heil der Nation stand auf dem Spiel. (Noun use)

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Heilung (healing)

Heiland (savior)

Heilstätte (sanatorium)

Heilmittel (remedy)

Verbos

heilen (to heal)

verheilen (to scar/heal over)

ausheilen (to heal completely)

Adjetivos

heilsam (beneficial/healing)

heilig (holy)

heilbar (curable)

Relacionado

ganz

gesund

retten

Segen

unversehrt

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in daily spoken German and children's literature.

Errores comunes

Ich bin wieder heil (after a cold). → Ich bin wieder gesund.
'Heil' is for structural integrity (bones, skin, objects). 'Gesund' is for internal health.
Das Auto heilt. → Das Auto wird repariert.
Only living things 'heilen' (verb). Objects are 'repariert' or 'werden wieder heil'.
Ein heiler Tag. → Ein ganzer Tag.
'Heil' is not used for durations of time. Use 'ganz' for 'whole day'.
Heil! → Hallo! / Guten Tag!
Never use 'Heil' as a greeting. It is socially and legally problematic in Germany.
Die Software ist heil. → Die Software funktioniert.
'Heil' refers to physical wholeness. Software doesn't have a physical body to be 'heil'.

Consejos

Use it for travel

Always use 'heil ankommen' when someone travels. It is the most natural way to say 'arrive safely' in German.

Predicative advantage

If you are unsure about adjective endings, use 'heil' after the verb: 'Das Glas ist heil'. No endings needed!

Learn 'heilfroh'

This word is much better than just 'sehr froh'. It adds a layer of 'relief' to your happiness.

Remember the rhyme

If you see a child fall, saying 'Heile, heile Segen' will make you sound incredibly integrated into German culture.

Skin vs. Flu

Remember: 'heil' for a cut skin, 'gesund' for the flu. Don't mix them up!

Heile Welt irony

When someone describes a perfect situation that seems fake, use 'eine heile Welt' to show you see through it.

Check your packages

When the mailman comes, you can say: 'Hoffentlich ist alles heil geblieben!'

Mind the Noun

Always use lowercase 'heil' for the adjective. Uppercase 'Heil' is the noun and has different connotations.

Heil vs. Ganz

Use 'heil' when you are surprised it isn't broken. Use 'ganz' for everyday descriptions.

The 'Whole' Link

Remember that 'heil' is related to 'whole'. Both start with a similar sound and mean the same thing.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of the English word 'HEAL'. If something is 'HEALed', it is now 'HEIL' (intact). Both words sound similar and share the same root.

Asociación visual

Imagine a broken heart being glued back together until it is 'heil' (whole). Or imagine a fragile glass arriving in a box with a big green checkmark saying 'HEIL'.

Word Web

ganz intakt gesund heilen Heilung unversehrt heilfroh heile Welt

Desafío

Try to find three items in your room that are 'heil' and one that is 'kaputt'. Describe them aloud: 'Meine Lampe ist heil, aber mein Stift ist kaputt.'

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Middle High German 'heil' and Old High German 'heil,' which stem from the Proto-Germanic '*hailaz.' It is a cognate of the English word 'whole' and 'hale.'

Significado original: The original meaning was 'whole,' 'sound,' or 'healthy,' referring to both physical and spiritual integrity.

Germanic

Contexto cultural

Never use the word 'Heil' as a noun or a greeting. As an adjective (e.g., 'Das Glas ist heil'), it is perfectly neutral and safe.

English speakers often struggle because they use 'whole', 'intact', 'safe', and 'healed' for different things, whereas German uses 'heil' for all of them.

Heile, heile Segen (Traditional nursery rhyme) Die heile Welt (Common trope in German Schlager music) Heilfroh (Commonly used by authors like Thomas Mann to show relief)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

After dropping an object

Ist es noch heil?
Zum Glück ist es heil geblieben.
Das ist nicht mehr heil.
Ist die Tasse heil?

After a trip or journey

Wir sind heil angekommen.
Komm heil nach Hause!
Hauptsache heil da.
Bist du heil zurück?

Talking about a wound

Die Wunde ist wieder heil.
Ist dein Knie schon heil?
Das wird bald wieder heil.
Die Haut sieht wieder heil aus.

Expressing relief

Ich bin heilfroh!
Ein Glück, alles ist heil.
Heilfroh, dass nichts passiert ist.
Da bin ich aber heilfroh.

Describing society

Eine heile Welt.
Die heile Familie.
Alles scheint heil zu sein.
Sehnsucht nach der heilen Welt.

Inicios de conversación

"Bist du nach deiner langen Reise wieder heil zu Hause angekommen?"

"Ist dein neues Smartphone nach dem Sturz gestern eigentlich noch heil?"

"Glaubst du, dass es heutzutage überhaupt noch eine 'heile Welt' gibt?"

"Was machst du, wenn etwas Teures nicht mehr heil ist? Reparierst du es?"

"Bist du auch so heilfroh wie ich, dass das Wochenende endlich da ist?"

Temas para diario

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du heilfroh warst, dass etwas gut ausgegangen ist.

Was bedeutet für dich eine 'heile Welt'? Beschreibe diesen Ort oder diesen Zustand.

Hast du schon einmal etwas Kostbares fallen gelassen, das zum Glück heil geblieben ist?

Wie wichtig ist es dir, dass deine persönlichen Gegenstände immer perfekt heil sind?

Reflektiere über eine Reise, bei der du besonders froh warst, heil am Ziel anzukommen.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, but only for the physical parts. If the screen is not cracked, it is 'heil'. If you mean the software works, use 'funktioniert'. If you fixed a hardware issue, you can say 'Er ist wieder heil'.

Rarely. For emotional pain, Germans usually use 'geheilt' (healed) or 'wieder gut' (good again). Using 'heil' for a heart sounds very poetic or like a child's rhyme.

They are often interchangeable. 'Ganz' is more general ('The whole plate'). 'Heil' emphasizes that it *survived* a crash or wasn't damaged ('The plate is intact').

It is neutral to informal. You can use it with friends, family, and colleagues, but maybe not in a very formal legal document.

No. 'Heilig' means holy. 'Heil' means intact. They come from the same root, but their meanings are distinct today.

You don't. You say 'Gute Besserung'. You only use 'heil' when the process is finished: 'Schön, dass du wieder heil bist'.

It sounds a bit like 'nursery talk'. Use 'reparieren' if you want to sound like a professional adult.

No, it is for physical safety or specific body parts. For character, you would use 'integer' (upright/intact character).

No. 'Hail' (weather) is 'Hagel' in German. 'Hail' (to greet) is related to 'Heil', but the meanings have diverged.

Yes, absolutely, as long as it is the adjective meaning 'intact'. Just avoid using it as a standalone greeting or noun.

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