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A1 adjective #4,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

Fleißig

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces Fleißig en 30 secondes

Explication Fleißig in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'fleißig' is one of the essential adjectives used to describe people and their habits. Learners are expected to use it in simple subject-verb-adjective sentences like 'Ich bin fleißig' or 'Er ist fleißig'. The focus is on the basic meaning of being hardworking or diligent, particularly in the context of school or work. Students learn that 'fleißig' is the opposite of 'faul' (lazy). At this stage, the word is mostly used in its uninflected form (predicative) or in simple nominative phrases. It is a key vocabulary item for the 'Personal Description' and 'Daily Life' modules of the A1 curriculum. Teachers often use it to encourage students who are making an effort to learn German, making it a word that students hear and recognize early on.

At A2, learners begin to use 'fleißig' in more varied sentence structures and start applying basic adjective endings. You might say 'Ein fleißiger Student lernt viel' (A hardworking student learns a lot). At this level, students also learn to use 'fleißig' as an adverb to describe actions, such as 'Sie lernt fleißig für den Test'. The concept of comparison is introduced, allowing students to say things like 'Mein Bruder ist fleißiger als ich'. The context expands from just school to include hobbies and household chores. Understanding the cultural value of being 'fleißig' in German-speaking countries also begins to become relevant at this level, as students engage with more cultural texts.

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By B1, 'fleißig' is used with full mastery of adjective declension across all cases (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive). Learners can integrate the word into complex sentences with subordinate clauses, such as 'Ich bewundere Menschen, die fleißig an ihren Träumen arbeiten'. The superlative form 'am fleißigsten' is used naturally. At this stage, students are also introduced to related nouns like 'der Fleiß' and can discuss the concept of diligence in a more abstract way. They begin to distinguish 'fleißig' from synonyms like 'tüchtig' or 'emsig' in specific contexts. The word is frequently used in B1 speaking exams when describing colleagues or discussing the ideal employee.

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At the B2 level, the use of 'fleißig' becomes more nuanced. Students learn to recognize when the word might be used ironically or when a more specific synonym like 'zielstrebig' (goal-oriented) or 'gewissenhaft' (conscientious) might be more appropriate. They can use the word in professional contexts, such as in a formal 'Lebenslauf' (CV) or 'Anschreiben' (cover letter), though they are often taught to use more sophisticated alternatives to avoid sounding repetitive. The word is also explored in the context of idioms and proverbs, such as 'Ohne Fleiß kein Preis' (No pain, no gain). Learners are expected to understand the historical and social weight of the word in German culture.

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At C1, 'fleißig' is seen as a foundational word that can be modified with various prefixes or used in sophisticated rhetorical structures. Learners understand its role in socio-political discourse (e.g., 'die fleißige Mitte der Gesellschaft'). They can analyze literary texts where 'Fleiß' is a central theme and discuss the evolution of the word's meaning from Middle High German to the present. C1 students are expected to use the word with perfect grammatical precision and to know exactly when to switch to more academic synonyms like 'industriös' or 'produktiv' to match the register of their writing or speech. They also understand the subtle difference between 'Fleiß' and 'Eifer' (zeal).

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At the C2 level, the learner has a near-native grasp of 'fleißig' and its entire word family. They can use the word in highly specialized contexts, including legal, historical, or philosophical discussions. They are aware of the potential for the word to be used in 'Beamtendeutsch' (bureaucratic German) or in complex literary metaphors. A C2 learner can discuss the tension between 'Fleiß' and 'Kreativität' or the role of diligence in the 'Wirtschaftswunder' (economic miracle). They can use the word with stylistic flair, employing it in ironical, poetic, or highly formal ways without ever miscalculating the tone or the social implications of the term.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Fleißig en 30 secondes

Fleißig means hardworking or diligent.
It is a highly positive trait in German culture.
It can be used as an adjective (a hardworking person) or an adverb (to work hard).
The opposite of fleißig is 'faul' (lazy).

The German adjective fleißig is a cornerstone of the German linguistic and cultural landscape. At its simplest level, it translates to 'diligent', 'hardworking', or 'industrious'. However, to truly understand its weight, one must look at it through the lens of German societal values. While in English, 'hardworking' can sometimes imply a temporary state of working hard on a specific task, fleißig often describes a character trait—a consistent commitment to effort and thoroughness.

Academic Context: In schools, a student is called 'fleißig' if they consistently do their homework, participate in class, and study regularly. It is the ultimate compliment from a teacher.

Maria ist eine sehr fleißige Schülerin; sie lernt jeden Tag drei Stunden Deutsch.

The word is derived from the noun 'der Fleiß' (diligence). Historically, this concept was elevated during the Prussian era, where 'Preußischer Fleiß' became a national ideal. Today, it remains a highly positive attribute in professional environments. When a supervisor describes an employee as fleißig, they are noting not just the output, but the reliable spirit of the worker.

Daily Life: You might hear a neighbor say, 'Du bist aber heute fleißig!' if they see you washing your car, mowing the lawn, and cleaning the windows all in one afternoon.

Wer fleißig arbeitet, wird am Ende belohnt.

Interestingly, the word can also be applied to insects, particularly bees and ants, which serve as biological metaphors for human diligence. The phrase 'fleißig wie eine Biene' (busy/diligent as a bee) is a common idiom used to describe someone who never seems to stop working. In a broader sense, fleißig covers the spectrum from small chores to life-long career dedication.

The Negative Nuance: Occasionally, if used sarcastically, it can imply someone is doing 'busy work' or being a 'teacher's pet', though the primary meaning remains overwhelmingly positive.

Er hat fleißig alle Vokabeln auswendig gelernt.

Die Ameisen sammeln fleißig Vorräte für den harten Winter.

To summarize, fleißig is not just about the act of working; it is about the virtue of applying oneself consistently and with purpose. It is one of the first adjectives German learners encounter because it describes the very effort required to learn the language itself.

Using fleißig correctly requires an understanding of German adjective endings and its role as an adverb. Because it is a qualitative adjective, it can appear in three main positions: predicative, attributive, and adverbial. Each position has its own grammatical rules that learners must master to sound natural.

Predicative Position: When the word follows a linking verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become), it does not take an ending. This is the simplest way to use the word.

Mein Bruder ist sehr fleißig, wenn es um seine Hobbys geht.

In the attributive position, fleißig comes before a noun and must agree with that noun's gender, number, and case. This is where many learners struggle. For example, in the nominative masculine, it might be 'ein fleißiger Mann', while in the feminine, it becomes 'eine fleißige Frau'.

Attributive Examples: Nominative: Der fleißige Lehrling lernt schnell.
Accusative: Ich suche einen fleißigen Mitarbeiter.
Dative: Ich helfe der fleißigen Studentin.

Ohne fleißige Helfer hätten wir das Fest nicht organisieren können.

When used as an adverb, fleißig describes how an action is performed. In German, most adjectives can function as adverbs without any additional suffixes like the English '-ly'. If someone is studying hard, they are 'fleißig am Lernen' or they 'lernen fleißig'.

Comparative and superlative forms are also essential. If you want to say someone is more hardworking, use 'fleißiger'. If they are the most hardworking, use 'am fleißigsten'. These follow standard German declension rules.

Comparison: Positive: fleißig
Comparative: fleißiger
Superlative: am fleißigsten / der fleißigste

Wer von euch ist am fleißigsten?

Finally, consider the word order. In a subordinate clause, the verb moves to the end, but fleißig stays near the element it modifies. Mastering these patterns allows you to express complex ideas about work ethic and dedication with precision.

You will encounter fleißig in almost every corner of German-speaking life, from the nursery to the boardroom. It is a word that carries significant social approval, making it a frequent choice for praise and encouragement. Understanding the context helps you grasp the subtle shifts in meaning.

In the Educational System: Teachers use it constantly. On report cards (Zeugnisse), 'fleißig' is a standard descriptor for a student's 'Arbeitsverhalten' (work behavior). It signifies that the student doesn't just rely on talent but puts in the necessary hours.

Du warst dieses Semester sehr fleißig, weiter so!

In professional settings, the term appears in 'Arbeitszeugnisse' (employment references). While German labor law requires references to be generally positive, 'fleißig' is a genuine mark of a reliable employee. It is often paired with 'pünktlich' (punctual) and 'zuverlässig' (reliable) to form the holy trinity of the German worker's virtues.

At Home and in the Neighborhood: This is where you hear the idiomatic and casual uses. If a child is cleaning their room without being asked, a parent might exclaim, 'Bist du aber fleißig!'. Similarly, neighbors use it as a polite conversation starter when they see someone working in their garden.

Na, seid ihr wieder fleißig am Heimwerken?

Literature and media also utilize the term to define character archetypes. From the 'fleißige Lieschen' (a common name for a hardworking girl, also a type of flower) to the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, where the 'fleißige Tochter' (diligent daughter) is always rewarded while the 'faule Tochter' (lazy daughter) is punished. This moralistic use has deeply embedded the word in the German psyche.

In News and Politics: Politicians often speak of the 'fleißigen Steuerzahler' (hardworking taxpayers) to evoke a sense of fairness and the importance of the middle class.

Wir müssen die fleißigen Menschen in unserem Land besser unterstützen.

Whether it's a casual remark about a hobby or a formal evaluation of career performance, fleißig is the go-to word for expressing respect for effort. It bridges the gap between simple activity and virtuous labor.

For English speakers, the word fleißig presents several 'false friend' traps and nuances that can lead to awkward phrasing. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial for moving from A1 to more advanced levels of German proficiency.

The 'Fast' Confusion: Because 'fleißig' sounds a bit like 'fast' (which means 'almost' in German), beginners sometimes confuse the two. Remember: 'schnell' is fast, 'fast' is almost, and 'fleißig' is hardworking.

Incorrect: Er rennt sehr fleißig. (He runs very hardworkingly - makes little sense). Correct: Er rennt sehr schnell.

Another common error is using fleißig when you actually mean 'busy'. In English, we often say 'I am busy right now'. If you translate this as 'Ich bin fleißig', you are telling the person 'I am hardworking', which sounds like a boast about your personality rather than a statement about your current schedule. The correct word for 'busy' (having a lot to do) is 'beschäftigt' or 'viel zu tun haben'.

Adjective endings are the most frequent grammatical mistake. Because 'fleißig' is so common, learners often forget to decline it when it precedes a noun. 'Ein fleißig Mann' is incorrect; it must be 'ein fleißiger Mann'.

Misusing the Superlative: Learners often forget the 'sten' ending or the 'am' in the adverbial superlative. Say 'am fleißigsten', not just 'fleißigsten'.

Falsch: Thomas arbeitet fleißigste. Richtig: Thomas arbeitet am fleißigsten.

Finally, there is the 'over-application' of the word. While it is a great compliment, using it for every minor task can sound patronizing or 'von oben herab' (condescending). Use it for genuine effort rather than just for existing. For instance, telling a colleague they are 'fleißig' because they answered one email might come off as sarcastic.

The 'Hard' Trap: English speakers often want to say 'work hard'. While 'fleißig arbeiten' is correct, they sometimes try to use 'hart arbeiten'. In German, 'hart arbeiten' usually implies physical labor or extreme difficulty, whereas 'fleißig arbeiten' implies diligence and persistence.

Er arbeitet hart auf dem Bau, aber er lernt fleißig für die Uni.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will use 'fleißig' with the nuance and accuracy of a native speaker, showing that you not only know the word but understand the culture behind it.

While fleißig is the most common way to express diligence, the German language offers a rich palette of synonyms that allow for greater precision depending on the context. Choosing the right alternative can significantly elevate your German.

Emsig: This word suggests a 'busy bee' kind of diligence. It implies constant, small, and varied activities. It is often used for people who are always 'doing something' around the house or office.

Sie war emsig damit beschäftigt, die Papiere zu ordnen.

Another powerful alternative is tüchtig. While 'fleißig' focuses on the effort, 'tüchtig' focuses on the competence and the result. A 'tüchtige Geschäftsfrau' is not just hardworking; she is capable and successful. It is a very high compliment in a professional context.

Arbeitsam: This is a slightly more formal, almost old-fashioned term. It literally means 'work-some' or inclined to work. It is often used in literature or formal descriptions of a person's nature.

Das Volk in dieser Region gilt als besonders arbeitsam.

If you want to describe someone who is ambitious and strives for success through hard work, strebsam is the perfect word. It combines 'fleißig' with a clear goal-oriented mindset. It is frequently used in school contexts for students who want to get the best grades.

Beflissen: This term is often used in the compound 'dienstbeflissen' (eager to serve). On its own, 'beflissen' can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation of being 'too' eager or trying too hard to please authority figures.

Er zeigte sich sehr beflissen, alle Anweisungen des Chefs sofort umzusetzen.

Finally, for a very informal, modern context, you might hear 'ackernd' (from 'ackern' - to toil/plow). This implies working extremely hard, often physically or under pressure. Understanding these variations allows you to tailor your description of 'hard work' to the specific situation and person you are talking about.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In Old High German, the root word actually meant 'strife' or 'quarrel'. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from 'struggle' to the 'effort' one puts into a task, eventually becoming the positive term for diligence we know today.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈflaɪ̯sɪç/

US /ˈflaɪ̯sɪk/

The stress is on the first syllable: FLEI-ßig.

Rime avec

dreißig (thirty) fleißig (self-rhyme) weiß ich (I know - near rhyme) heiß ich (I am named - near rhyme) reiß ich (I tear - near rhyme) scheiß ich (vulgar - near rhyme) speis ich (I dine - archaic/near rhyme) beiß ich (I bite - near rhyme)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ei' as 'ee' (like 'flee-sig'). It should be 'fly-sig'.
Pronouncing 'ß' as 'z'. It is always a voiceless 's'.
Pronouncing 'ig' as 'ig' (like 'pig'). In standard German, it's usually 'ich'.
Misplacing the stress on the second syllable.
Confusing the 'fl' sound with 'v' or 'p'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

The word is very common and easy to recognize in texts.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowledge of adjective endings which can be tricky for beginners.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation of 'ei' and final 'ig' requires some practice.

Écoute 1/5

Usually clearly pronounced and easy to catch in conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

arbeiten lernen gut sein machen

Apprends ensuite

faul tüchtig der Fleiß die Bemühung zuverlässig

Avancé

gewissenhaft akribisch zielstrebig pflichtbewusst ambitioniert

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Declension (Weak)

Der fleißige Mann (Nominative, Masculine, Definite Article).

Adjective Declension (Strong)

Fleißiger Mann (Nominative, Masculine, No Article).

Comparison of Adjectives

Er ist fleißiger als sein Bruder.

Adverbial Usage

Sie arbeitet fleißig (No ending needed).

Superlative with 'am'

Am fleißigsten lernt Maria.

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Exemples par niveau

Ich bin fleißig.

I am hardworking.

Simple predicative use of the adjective.

Bist du fleißig?

Are you hardworking?

Interrogative sentence structure.

Er lernt fleißig Deutsch.

He studies German diligently.

Adverbial use of the word.

Die Kinder sind fleißig.

The children are hardworking.

Plural subject with predicative adjective.

Meine Mutter ist sehr fleißig.

My mother is very hardworking.

Use of 'sehr' as an intensifier.

Wir müssen fleißig sein.

We must be hardworking.

Modal verb 'müssen' with the infinitive 'sein'.

Das ist ein fleißiger Hund.

That is a hardworking dog.

Attributive use with masculine nominative ending -er.

Sie macht fleißig ihre Hausaufgaben.

She is diligently doing her homework.

Adverbial use describing the verb 'machen'.

Ein fleißiger Schüler bekommt gute Noten.

A hardworking student gets good grades.

Attributive adjective ending -er for masculine nominative.

Sie arbeitet fleißiger als ihr Kollege.

She works harder than her colleague.

Comparative form 'fleißiger' with 'als'.

Ich habe eine fleißige Schwester.

I have a hardworking sister.

Attributive adjective ending -e for feminine accusative.

Thomas ist der fleißigste Arbeiter in der Fabrik.

Thomas is the most hardworking worker in the factory.

Superlative form 'der fleißigste'.

Warum bist du heute so fleißig?

Why are you so hardworking today?

Question with 'warum' and 'so'.

Wir haben fleißig für die Prüfung geübt.

We practiced diligently for the exam.

Perfect tense with adverbial 'fleißig'.

Die fleißigen Bienen sammeln Honig.

The hardworking bees collect honey.

Plural nominative with weak declension -en.

Er hilft seinem fleißigen Vater im Garten.

He helps his hardworking father in the garden.

Dative masculine ending -en after 'seinem'.

Ohne fleißig zu sein, kann man kein Instrument lernen.

Without being diligent, one cannot learn an instrument.

Infinitival clause with 'ohne... zu'.

Ich kenne niemanden, der so fleißig ist wie du.

I know nobody who is as hardworking as you.

Relative clause and comparison 'so... wie'.

Trotz seiner fleißigen Art hat er den Job nicht bekommen.

Despite his hardworking nature, he didn't get the job.

Genitive case after the preposition 'trotz'.

Wenn man fleißig trainiert, sieht man bald Erfolge.

If one trains diligently, one will soon see results.

Conditional 'wenn' clause.

Sie wurde für ihre fleißige Mitarbeit gelobt.

She was praised for her hardworking cooperation.

Passive voice with 'für' + accusative.

Es ist wichtig, dass wir alle fleißig bleiben.

It is important that we all remain hardworking.

Subordinate clause starting with 'dass'.

Er ist nicht nur talentiert, sondern auch fleißig.

He is not only talented but also hardworking.

Two-part connector 'nicht nur... sondern auch'.

Die fleißigsten Mitarbeiter erhalten einen Bonus.

The most hardworking employees receive a bonus.

Attributive superlative in the plural nominative.

Der wirtschaftliche Erfolg des Landes basiert auf seinen fleißigen Bürgern.

The country's economic success is based on its hardworking citizens.

Dative plural ending -en after 'seinen'.

Man sagt, dass Fleiß allein nicht ausreicht; man muss auch klug handeln.

They say that diligence alone is not enough; one must also act smartly.

Use of the noun 'Fleiß' as a subject.

Sie hat sich fleißig auf das Vorstellungsgespräch vorbereitet.

She prepared herself diligently for the job interview.

Reflexive verb 'sich vorbereiten' with adverbial 'fleißig'.

Obwohl er fleißig war, konnte er den Termin nicht einhalten.

Although he was hardworking, he couldn't meet the deadline.

Concessive 'obwohl' clause.

In seinem Arbeitszeugnis stand, dass er stets fleißig und zuverlässig war.

His work reference stated that he was always hardworking and reliable.

Indirect speech context.

Durch fleißiges Üben hat sie ihre Aussprache verbessert.

Through diligent practice, she improved her pronunciation.

Gerund-like use of 'Üben' with attributive adjective.

Es mangelt ihm keineswegs an einer fleißigen Einstellung.

He by no means lacks a hardworking attitude.

Dative feminine ending -en after 'einer'.

Wir suchen jemanden mit einer fleißigen und zielstrebigen Arbeitsweise.

We are looking for someone with a hardworking and goal-oriented way of working.

Adjective string in the dative case.

Die sprichwörtliche fleißige Biene dient oft als Vorbild für menschliche Tugend.

The proverbial busy bee often serves as a model for human virtue.

Attributive use in a complex subject phrase.

Es ist ein Trugschluss zu glauben, dass nur die Fleißigen im Leben vorankommen.

It is a fallacy to believe that only the hardworking get ahead in life.

Substantivized adjective 'die Fleißigen'.

Sein unermüdliches und fleißiges Engagement wurde schließlich belohnt.

His tireless and diligent commitment was finally rewarded.

Coordinated adjectives modifying a neuter noun.

Indem sie fleißig Quellen recherchierte, konnte sie ihre These untermauern.

By diligently researching sources, she was able to substantiate her thesis.

Modal clause starting with 'indem'.

Die soziale Mobilität wird oft durch eine fleißige Lebensführung begünstigt.

Social mobility is often favored by a diligent lifestyle.

Passive voice with 'durch' + accusative.

Er vertrat die Ansicht, dass Fleiß ein unverzichtbarer Teil der nationalen Identität sei.

He held the view that diligence was an indispensable part of national identity.

Subjunctive I (Konjunktiv I) for indirect speech.

Manche Kritiker sehen im Ideal des fleißigen Arbeiters eine Form der Selbstausbeutung.

Some critics see the ideal of the hardworking worker as a form of self-exploitation.

Genitive masculine singular ending -en.

Sie hat sich die Sprache durch fleißiges Vokabellernen angeeignet.

She acquired the language through diligent vocabulary learning.

Prepositional phrase with 'durch' and a nominalized verb.

In der protestantischen Ethik wird der Fleiß als Zeichen der göttlichen Erwählung gedeutet.

In the Protestant ethic, diligence is interpreted as a sign of divine election.

Historical/Sociological register using the noun 'Fleiß'.

Das Werk zeugt von einer geradezu akribischen und fleißigen Rechercheleistung.

The work bears witness to an almost meticulous and diligent research achievement.

Dative feminine singular with 'einer'.

Es bleibt abzuwarten, ob die fleißige Akkumulation von Wissen auch zu Weisheit führt.

It remains to be seen whether the diligent accumulation of knowledge also leads to wisdom.

Infinitive construction with 'es bleibt... zu'.

Unter dem Deckmantel der fleißigen Pflichterfüllung verbarg er seinen brennenden Ehrgeiz.

Under the guise of diligent fulfillment of duty, he hid his burning ambition.

Complex prepositional phrase.

Die Dialektik von Fleiß und Müßiggang ist ein zentrales Thema der Weltliteratur.

The dialectic of diligence and idleness is a central theme of world literature.

Abstract noun usage in philosophical context.

Trotz fleißigster Bemühungen konnte die Katastrophe nicht abgewendet werden.

Despite the most diligent efforts, the catastrophe could not be averted.

Superlative adjective in the genitive plural.

Man darf Fleiß nicht mit bloßem Aktionismus verwechseln.

One must not confuse diligence with mere busywork.

Negative imperative/prohibitive structure.

Die fleißige Aneignung kulturellen Kapitals ist für den sozialen Aufstieg maßgeblich.

The diligent acquisition of cultural capital is decisive for social advancement.

Sociological terminology.

Collocations courantes

fleißig lernen

fleißig arbeiten

fleißig üben

besonders fleißig

ein fleißiger Student

fleißig sparen

fleißig sammeln

stets fleißig

fleißig trainieren

fleißig lesen

Phrases Courantes

Bist du fleißig?

— Are you working hard? Often used as a friendly check-in.

Hallo! Bist du fleißig am Schreibtisch?

Fleißig, fleißig!

— A common exclamation of praise when seeing someone work.

Oh, du putzt das ganze Haus? Fleißig, fleißig!

Ein fleißiges Bienchen

— A 'busy little bee'; often used for children or helpful people.

Du hast mir sehr geholfen, du fleißiges Bienchen.

Fleißig wie eine Ameise

— As hardworking as an ant; implies teamwork and persistence.

Sie arbeiteten fleißig wie die Ameisen am Nest.

Fleißig bei der Sache sein

— To be focused and hardworking regarding a specific matter.

Er ist immer fleißig bei der Sache.

Sich fleißig zeigen

— To demonstrate that one is hardworking.

Er wollte sich vor dem Chef fleißig zeigen.

Fleißig Punkte sammeln

— To diligently collect points (often metaphorical for progress).

Im Unterricht kann man fleißig Punkte sammeln.

Ganz schön fleißig!

— Quite hardworking! Expresses surprise at the amount of work.

Zehn Seiten an einem Tag? Ganz schön fleißig!

Immer fleißig bleiben!

— Keep working hard! A common encouragement.

Viel Erfolg bei der Arbeit und immer fleißig bleiben!

Einen fleißigen Eindruck machen

— To make a hardworking impression.

Der neue Lehrling macht einen fleißigen Eindruck.

Souvent confondu avec

Fleißig vs fast

English speakers confuse the sounds. 'Fast' means 'almost', while 'fleißig' means 'hardworking'.

Fleißig vs beschäftigt

Means 'busy'. Being busy is a state; being 'fleißig' is a trait or quality of work.

Fleißig vs schnell

Means 'fast/quick'. Working fast is not the same as working diligently.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Ohne Fleiß kein Preis"

— No pain, no gain. Literally: Without diligence, no prize.

Du musst mehr lernen. Ohne Fleiß kein Preis!

proverb

"Fleiß bricht Eis"

— Diligence breaks ice. Implies that hard work can overcome any obstacle.

Gib nicht auf, denn Fleiß bricht Eis.

literary/rare

"Fleißig wie eine Biene"

— As busy as a bee. Used for someone who is constantly active.

Meine Oma ist auch mit 80 noch fleißig wie eine Biene.

neutral

"Der Fleiß ist die Mutter des Glücks"

— Diligence is the mother of good luck.

Verlass dich nicht auf das Glück. Der Fleiß ist die Mutter des Glücks.

proverb

"Fleiß ist des Glückes Vater"

— Diligence is the father of luck. A variation of the above.

Arbeite hart, denn Fleiß ist des Glückes Vater.

proverb

"Sich ein fleißiges Bienchen verdienen"

— To earn a 'busy bee' sticker (metaphorically, to earn praise).

Dafür hast du dir ein fleißiges Bienchen verdient.

informal/child-friendly

"Fleiß und Schweiß"

— Diligence and sweat. Implies very hard physical or mental labor.

Das Projekt kostete uns viel Fleiß und Schweiß.

neutral

"Ein fleißiges Lieschen"

— A person (usually female) who is very hardworking; also a plant name.

Sie ist ein echtes fleißiges Lieschen in der Redaktion.

informal

"Wer fleißig ist, dem lacht das Glück"

— Luck smiles upon those who are hardworking.

Sei nicht traurig, wer fleißig ist, dem lacht das Glück.

proverb

"Fleiß geht vor Schönheit"

— Diligence comes before beauty (hard work is more important than looks).

In diesem Beruf gilt: Fleiß geht vor Schönheit.

informal

Facile à confondre

Fleißig vs tüchtig

Both mean hardworking.

'Fleißig' is about the effort; 'tüchtig' is about the skill and success accompanying the effort.

Ein fleißiger Lehrling übt viel; ein tüchtiger Meister kann alles.

Fleißig vs emsig

Both describe being busy/diligent.

'Emsig' implies a bustling, constant activity, often on smaller tasks.

Die Ameisen sind emsig am Bauen.

Fleißig vs strebsam

Both relate to working hard.

'Strebsam' includes the element of ambition and wanting to move up.

Der strebsame Student will die beste Note.

Fleißig vs pflichtbewusst

Both involve doing work well.

'Pflichtbewusst' means doing it because it's your duty; 'fleißig' is the manner of doing it.

Er ist pflichtbewusst und kommt nie zu spät.

Fleißig vs arbeitsam

Very close synonyms.

'Arbeitsam' is more formal and describes a general character disposition toward labor.

Ein arbeitsames Volk.

Structures de phrases

[Subject] ist fleißig.

Maria ist fleißig.

[Subject] lernt fleißig.

Ich lerne fleißig.

[Definite Article] fleißige [Noun] ...

Die fleißige Frau arbeitet.

[Subject] ist fleißiger als [Object].

Er ist fleißiger als ich.

Ohne fleißig zu sein, [Verb] ...

Ohne fleißig zu sein, gewinnt man nicht.

Weil [Subject] fleißig ist, [Verb] ...

Weil er fleißig ist, hat er Erfolg.

Trotz [Possessive] fleißigen [Noun] ...

Trotz seines fleißigen Einsatzes verlor er.

Es ist [Subject] zu eigen, fleißig zu [Verb].

Es ist ihm zu eigen, fleißig zu forschen.

Famille de mots

Noms

der Fleiß (diligence)

die Beflissenheit (eagerness)

das Fleißkärtchen (merit card for children)

Verbes

befleißigen (to apply oneself - reflexive/formal)

sich befleißigen (to strive)

Adjectifs

fleißig (hardworking)

dienstbeflissen (eager to serve)

überfleißig (overly diligent)

Apparenté

die Arbeit (work)

die Mühe (effort)

der Eifer (zeal)

die Ausdauer (persistence)

die Disziplin (discipline)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high; it is one of the top 500 most used adjectives in German.

Erreurs courantes

Ich bin fleißig mit meinen Hausaufgaben. → Ich mache fleißig meine Hausaufgaben.
In German, you don't usually say you are 'hardworking with' something. You 'do something diligently'.
Er ist ein fleißig Mann. → Er ist ein fleißiger Mann.
Adjectives before a masculine nominative noun with 'ein' must end in -er.
Sie arbeitet sehr hart. → Sie arbeitet sehr fleißig.
While 'hart arbeiten' exists, 'fleißig arbeiten' is the more common and positive way to describe diligence.
Ich bin fleißig heute. → Ich habe heute viel zu tun / Ich bin heute beschäftigt.
If you mean you have a lot of work to do right now, use 'beschäftigt' (busy). 'Fleißig' is about the effort you put in.
Er rennt fleißig. → Er rennt schnell.
Don't confuse diligence with speed. Use 'schnell' for fast.

Astuces

Adjective Ending Rule

Remember that 'fleißig' needs an ending if it's before a noun. 'Ein fleißiger Student' (masculine), 'Eine fleißige Studentin' (feminine).

The Prussian Virtue

Being 'fleißig' is one of the highest social values in Germany. It’s better to be called 'fleißig' than 'intelligent' in some contexts.

Adverbial Trick

To say 'He works hard', just say 'Er arbeitet fleißig'. No need for extra words like 'hart' or suffixes like '-ly'.

The Bee Metaphor

Use 'fleißig wie eine Biene' to sound very idiomatic when describing someone who never stops working.

Small Talk

If you see a neighbor gardening, say 'Fleißig, fleißig!'. It's a perfect, polite way to acknowledge them.

Avoid 'Fast'

Don't say 'Er ist fast' when you mean he is hardworking. 'Fast' means 'almost'. Use 'fleißig'!

Opposites Attract

Learn 'fleißig' and 'faul' (lazy) together. They are perfect antonyms and often appear in the same contexts.

Work References

If you see 'stets fleißig' in a German work reference, it's a good sign. It means 'always hardworking'.

Better and Best

Practice 'fleißiger' and 'am fleißigsten' to describe your progress in learning German.

The 'Fly' Memory

Imagine a fly (Flei-) working on a laptop. It's a 'Fleißig' fly!

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Fly' that is very 'Busy' (Fleißig). Imagine the fly wearing a tiny suit and working on a laptop. 'Fly-sig' = Hardworking Fly.

Association visuelle

Picture a honeybee (Biene) carrying a heavy bucket of pollen. The bee is smiling because it is 'fleißig'.

Word Web

Fleiß Arbeit Erfolg Schule Lernen Biene Ameise Ziel

Défi

Try to use the word 'fleißig' three times today: once to praise yourself, once to praise a friend, and once to describe an animal or a machine.

Origine du mot

The word 'fleißig' originates from the Middle High German 'vlīzec', which was the adjective form of 'vlīz' (modern 'Fleiß').

Sens originel : Originally, it referred to 'zeal', 'effort', or 'exertion' in a very broad sense, often related to strife or competition.

Germanic (Indo-European). It shares roots with Old High German 'flīz' and is related to the Dutch 'vlijtig'.

Contexte culturel

Be careful not to use 'fleißig' in a way that sounds like you are judging someone's worth solely based on their productivity.

English speakers might find the constant praise of 'fleißig' a bit intense, as English culture often values 'work-life balance' or 'working smart, not hard' more explicitly.

The fable 'Die Ameise und die Heuschrecke' (The Ant and the Grasshopper) by Aesop, widely known in Germany, where the ant is the 'fleißig' one. The Brothers Grimm fairy tale 'Frau Holle', where 'Goldmarie' is fleißig and 'Pechmarie' is faul. Max Weber's 'Die protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kapitalismus', which discusses the role of diligence.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

School/University

fleißig lernen
ein fleißiger Student
Hausaufgaben fleißig machen
für Prüfungen fleißig üben

Workplace

fleißig arbeiten
ein fleißiger Kollege
fleißige Mitarbeit
stets fleißig sein

Household

fleißig putzen
im Garten fleißig sein
beim Kochen fleißig helfen
fleißig aufräumen

Hobbies/Sports

fleißig trainieren
ein Instrument fleißig üben
fleißig wandern
fleißig am Projekt basteln

Personal Growth

fleißig an sich arbeiten
Vokabeln fleißig wiederholen
fleißig lesen
fleißig Erfahrungen sammeln

Amorces de conversation

"Warst du heute schon fleißig oder hattest du einen entspannten Tag?"

"Was ist für dich wichtiger: Talent oder dass man fleißig ist?"

"Kennst du jemanden, der extrem fleißig ist? Was macht diese Person?"

"Bist du eher ein fleißiges Bienchen oder eine faule Socke?"

"Wann fällt es dir schwer, fleißig zu sein?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du besonders fleißig warst. Was hast du erreicht?

Ist es in deinem Land wichtig, fleißig zu sein? Erkläre die kulturellen Unterschiede.

Wie belohnst du dich selbst, wenn du den ganzen Tag fleißig gearbeitet hast?

Kann man zu fleißig sein? Diskutiere die Vor- und Nachteile von extremem Fleiß.

Welche Ziele möchtest du durch fleißiges Lernen in diesem Jahr erreichen?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, in 99% of cases, it is a compliment. It shows you value someone's effort. However, like any word, it can be used sarcastically if someone is doing unnecessary work.

Usually no. It is a human (or animal) trait. For a machine, you would use 'leistungsstark' (powerful) or 'zuverlässig' (reliable).

'Hart arbeiten' often sounds like a direct translation from English. In German, it implies physical exhaustion. 'Fleißig arbeiten' is the standard way to say someone is a good worker.

Say 'Ich bin beschäftigt' or 'Ich habe viel zu tun'. If you say 'Ich bin fleißig', it sounds like you are describing your personality.

Yes, the noun is 'der Fleiß'. For example: 'Sein Fleiß hat sich ausgezahlt' (His diligence paid off).

Absolutely. You can be 'fleißig' at playing guitar, gardening, or even playing video games if you put in a lot of effort.

The superlative is 'am fleißigsten' (adverbial) or 'der/die/das fleißigste' (attributive).

It is deeply rooted in history, particularly the Prussian virtues and the reconstruction of the country after World War II (Wirtschaftswunder).

Yes, 'Na, bist du fleißig?' is a very common way to say hello when you see someone working.

Yes, but it's better to use more specific terms like 'belastbar' (able to work under pressure) or 'zielstrebig' (goal-oriented) alongside it.

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