Ängstlich
Ängstlich 30초 만에
- Ängstlich is the standard German adjective for 'anxious' or 'fearful'.
- It can describe a temporary feeling or a permanent character trait.
- Commonly used with the preposition 'vor' + Dative (e.g., ängstlich vor Hunden).
- It is a versatile word used in everyday, medical, and literary contexts.
The German adjective ängstlich is a fundamental descriptor used to convey a state of fear, apprehension, or a general disposition toward being easily frightened. Derived from the noun die Angst (fear/anxiety), it functions similarly to the English words 'anxious,' 'fearful,' or 'timid.' At its core, it describes a psychological or emotional state where an individual feels vulnerable or threatened by perceived dangers, whether those dangers are real or imagined. In the context of German language learning, understanding 'ängstlich' is crucial because it bridges the gap between simple physical fear and more complex emotional anxiety.
- Primary Meaning
- Feeling or showing fear or nervousness about what might happen.
- Character Trait
- Describing someone who is habitually timid or cautious.
- Situational State
- A temporary feeling of being scared in a specific moment.
When we look at the word's application, it is important to distinguish between 'ängstlich' as a temporary state and as a permanent personality trait. For example, a child might be ängstlich in the dark (temporary), or a person might have an ängstlich temperament (permanent). This duality makes it a versatile tool in both daily conversation and literature. In German culture, expressing one's feelings is often done with precision, and 'ängstlich' provides that specific shade of meaning that 'Angst haben' (to have fear) sometimes lacks in its more direct, verbal form.
"Das Kind schaute ängstlich aus dem Fenster, als der Donner grollte."
Furthermore, the word carries a certain weight in psychological contexts. While 'nervös' might imply a physical restlessness, 'ängstlich' implies a deeper emotional concern. It is the difference between being jittery before a speech and being truly afraid of the outcome. This nuance is vital for A1 and A2 learners to grasp as they move toward B1 fluency, where emotional expression becomes more layered. The word also appears frequently in fairy tales and children's stories, often describing the 'ängstliche Hase' (fearful rabbit) or the protagonist's initial hesitation before a grand adventure.
"Sein ängstlicher Blick verriet seine Unsicherheit."
- Synonym Note
- 'Furchtsam' is more formal, while 'ängstlich' is the standard everyday choice.
In summary, 'ängstlich' is more than just 'scared.' It is a window into the German conceptualization of fear—one that acknowledges both the momentary shudder and the long-term character trait. It is a word that invites empathy and understanding, as it often describes a vulnerability that is universally human. Whether you are describing a pet, a friend, or a fictional character, 'ängstlich' provides the necessary emotional resonance to make your German sound natural and expressive.
Using ängstlich correctly requires an understanding of German adjective declension and its placement within a sentence. As an adjective, it can be used predicatively (after a verb like 'sein') or attributively (before a noun). When used predicatively, it remains unchanged: 'Ich bin ängstlich.' However, when used before a noun, it must agree with the gender, number, and case of that noun: 'Ein ängstlicher Junge' (A fearful boy).
"Warum bist du so ängstlich? Es ist nur eine kleine Spinne."
One of the most common constructions involves the preposition vor + Dative. If you want to say what someone is anxious about, you use this structure: 'Ängstlich sein vor...' (To be anxious about...). For example, 'Sie ist ängstlich vor der Prüfung' (She is anxious about the exam). Note that while 'Angst haben vor' is more common for direct fear, 'ängstlich sein' describes the state of being during that fear.
- Attributive Use
- Der ängstliche Hund bellt viel. (The fearful dog barks a lot.)
- Predicative Use
- Die Katze ist sehr ängstlich. (The cat is very fearful.)
- Adverbial Use
- Sie sah ihn ängstlich an. (She looked at him fearfully.)
In professional or academic settings, 'ängstlich' might be replaced by more specific terms like 'besorgt' (concerned) or 'bedenklich' (doubtful), but in everyday German, 'ängstlich' remains the go-to word for describing a lack of courage or a presence of worry. It is also frequently used in the comparative and superlative forms: 'ängstlicher' (more anxious) and 'am ängstlichsten' (most anxious). 'Mein Bruder ist ängstlicher als ich' (My brother is more anxious than I am).
"In der Dunkelheit wurde er immer ängstlicher."
Finally, consider the register. While 'ängstlich' is neutral, using it to describe an adult might sometimes imply a lack of bravery that could be seen as slightly negative, depending on the context. However, when describing children or animals, it is purely descriptive and empathetic. Understanding these social nuances helps in choosing the right word for the right situation.
You will encounter ängstlich in a variety of everyday situations in German-speaking countries. From the doctor's office to the playground, this word is a staple of emotional vocabulary. In a medical context, a doctor might ask, 'Sind Sie ängstlich wegen der Operation?' (Are you anxious about the surgery?). Here, it is used to gauge the patient's emotional state and provide comfort.
"Seien Sie nicht ängstlich, der Eingriff ist ganz einfach."
In schools and educational settings, teachers often use the word to describe students who might be hesitant to participate. 'Ein ängstlicher Schüler' is one who might know the answer but is too afraid of making a mistake to raise their hand. Parents also use it frequently when discussing their children's development or reactions to new experiences, such as the first day of kindergarten or meeting a large dog.
- In Literature
- Often used to describe the 'anti-hero' or a character undergoing growth.
- In News
- Used to describe market fluctuations or public sentiment ('ängstliche Anleger').
Media and news outlets also utilize 'ängstlich' to describe collective moods. During economic downturns, you might hear about 'ängstliche Märkte' (anxious markets) or 'ängstliche Bürger' (anxious citizens) concerned about the future. This demonstrates the word's flexibility, moving from the individual psyche to the collective social atmosphere. In literature, especially in the works of Kafka or modern German thrillers, 'ängstlich' is used to build atmosphere and convey the internal struggle of characters facing existential threats.
"Die ängstliche Stimmung im Raum war fast greifbar."
Lastly, in casual conversation among friends, you might hear it as a gentle tease or a sincere observation. 'Du bist aber ängstlich heute!' (You're quite jumpy/anxious today!) might be said if someone starts at a sudden noise. This wide range of usage—from clinical to casual, from individual to societal—makes 'ängstlich' an indispensable part of your German vocabulary.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing ängstlich with the noun Angst. While they are related, they function differently in a sentence. You cannot say 'Ich habe ängstlich' (incorrect); you must say 'Ich bin ängstlich' (I am anxious) or 'Ich habe Angst' (I have fear). This is a classic 'be' vs. 'have' distinction that exists in many German emotional expressions.
"Falsch: Ich habe ängstlich. Richtig: Ich bin ängstlich."
Another common error is the choice of preposition. English speakers often want to use 'ängstlich über' (anxious about), but in German, the correct preposition is almost always vor (+ Dative). Saying 'ängstlich über die Zukunft' is understandable but sounds non-native; 'ängstlich vor der Zukunft' is the standard way to express being fearful of what is to come.
- Confusion with 'Feige'
- 'Ängstlich' is feeling fear; 'feige' is being a coward. Don't insult someone by accident!
- Word Order
- Remember that as an adverb, 'ängstlich' usually follows the verb.
Learners also sometimes struggle with the nuance between 'ängstlich' and 'besorgt.' While 'ängstlich' implies a sense of fear or being scared, 'besorgt' (worried/concerned) is often more intellectual or care-based. If you are worried about your grades, you are 'besorgt'; if you are scared of the exam itself, you are 'ängstlich.' Using 'ängstlich' when you mean 'besorgt' can make you sound more frightened than you actually are.
"Er ist nicht feige, er ist nur ein bisschen ängstlich in neuen Situationen."
Finally, be careful with the declension of 'ängstlich' when it's used as an attribute. It's easy to forget the endings: 'ein ängstlicher Mann' (nominative), 'eines ängstlichen Mannes' (genitive), 'einem ängstlichen Mann' (dative), 'einen ängstlichen Mann' (accusative). Mastery of these endings is what separates an A1 learner from a B1 speaker.
To truly master ängstlich, it helps to see it within its semantic field. There are several words that share similar meanings but carry different weights or nuances. For instance, furchtsam is a very close synonym but is considered more literary or old-fashioned. You might find it in a 19th-century novel, whereas 'ängstlich' is what you'll hear on the street today.
"Der furchtsame Wanderer mied den dunklen Wald."
Another related word is scheu (shy/timid). While 'ängstlich' implies fear, 'scheu' implies a lack of social confidence or a tendency to avoid contact. A 'scheues Reh' (shy deer) is not necessarily 'ängstlich' in the sense of being terrified, but it is naturally inclined to stay away from humans. Similarly, schüchtern (shy) is specifically used for social situations and is less about fear and more about modesty or lack of self-assurance.
- Verzagt
- Despairing or discouraged; a deeper, more heavy-hearted version of being ängstlich.
- Besorgt
- Worried or concerned; often used for mental preoccupation rather than visceral fear.
- Panisch
- Panic-stricken; a much higher intensity than ängstlich.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have words like mutig (brave) and tapfer (valiant). Understanding these antonyms helps define the boundaries of 'ängstlich.' A person who is 'ängstlich' lacks 'Mut' (courage). Interestingly, German also has the word beunruhigt (unsettled/restless), which is a milder form of being ängstlich, often used when one has a 'bad feeling' about something but isn't quite scared yet.
"Sie war beunruhigt, aber nicht direkt ängstlich."
By learning these related terms, you can more accurately describe the specific type of fear or hesitation you are witnessing or experiencing. Whether it's the social 'Schüchternheit,' the literary 'Furchtsamkeit,' or the everyday 'Ängstlichkeit,' having these options at your disposal makes your German much more precise and sophisticated.
How Formal Is It?
난이도
알아야 할 문법
Adjective declension
Prepositions with Dative (vor)
Adverbial use of adjectives
Comparison of adjectives
Subordinate clauses with 'weil' or 'obwohl'
수준별 예문
Ich bin ängstlich.
I am anxious/scared.
Subject + Verb + Adjective.
Bist du ängstlich?
Are you anxious?
Question form: Verb + Subject + Adjective.
Das Kind ist ängstlich.
The child is scared.
Noun + Verb + Adjective.
Der Hund ist ängstlich.
The dog is scared.
Definite article + Noun + Verb + Adjective.
Ich bin nicht ängstlich.
I am not scared.
Negation with 'nicht'.
Sie ist ein bisschen ängstlich.
She is a little bit anxious.
Adverb 'ein bisschen' modifies the adjective.
Wir sind ängstlich im Dunkeln.
We are scared in the dark.
Prepositional phrase 'im Dunkeln'.
Warum bist du ängstlich?
Why are you anxious?
Interrogative 'Warum'.
Er ist ängstlich vor großen Hunden.
He is afraid of big dogs.
Preposition 'vor' + Dative.
Die ängstliche Katze rennt weg.
The fearful cat runs away.
Attributive adjective: Nominative feminine.
Ich habe einen ängstlichen Bruder.
I have a fearful brother.
Attributive adjective: Accusative masculine.
Sie schaut ängstlich aus dem Fenster.
She looks fearfully out of the window.
Adverbial use of 'ängstlich'.
Bist du ängstlich vor der Prüfung?
Are you anxious about the exam?
Preposition 'vor' + Dative.
Mein Vater ist weniger ängstlich als meine Mutter.
My father is less anxious than my mother.
Comparison with 'weniger... als'.
Das ängstliche Kind weint.
The fearful child is crying.
Attributive adjective: Nominative neuter.
Wir helfen dem ängstlichen Mann.
We are helping the fearful man.
Attributive adjective: Dative masculine.
Obwohl er ängstlich war, ging er in den Keller.
Although he was scared, he went into the basement.
Conjunction 'obwohl' with subordinate clause.
Sie ist ängstlicher als ihr Freund.
She is more anxious than her boyfriend.
Comparative form 'ängstlicher'.
Er ist am ängstlichsten, wenn er fliegen muss.
He is most anxious when he has to fly.
Superlative form 'am ängstlichsten'.
Ich finde seine ängstliche Art manchmal anstrengend.
I find his anxious manner tiring sometimes.
Attributive adjective in the accusative.
Wegen seiner ängstlichen Natur blieb er lieber zu Hause.
Because of his anxious nature, he preferred to stay home.
Genitive case after 'wegen'.
Sie reagierte ängstlich auf die Nachricht.
She reacted anxiously to the news.
Adverbial use with preposition 'auf'.
Es gibt keinen Grund, ängstlich zu sein.
There is no reason to be anxious.
Infinitive clause with 'zu'.
Die ängstlichen Passagiere warteten auf Informationen.
The anxious passengers waited for information.
Plural attributive adjective.
Die Anleger sind ängstlich wegen der wirtschaftlichen Lage.
Investors are anxious because of the economic situation.
Preposition 'wegen' + Genitive.
Er versuchte, seine ängstlichen Gedanken zu unterdrücken.
He tried to suppress his anxious thoughts.
Attributive adjective in the plural accusative.
In einer ängstlichen Gesellschaft ist Vertrauen schwer zu finden.
In an anxious society, trust is hard to find.
Prepositional phrase in the dative.
Sie ist nicht nur schüchtern, sondern auch sehr ängstlich.
She is not only shy, but also very anxious.
Correlative conjunction 'nicht nur... sondern auch'.
Der ängstliche Blick des Zeugen verunsicherte die Jury.
The witness's anxious look unsettled the jury.
Genitive noun phrase.
Trotz seiner ängstlichen Miene blieb er ruhig.
Despite his anxious expression, he remained calm.
Preposition 'trotz' + Genitive.
Man sollte ängstliche Menschen nicht verspotten.
One should not mock anxious people.
Modal verb with accusative object.
Das Pferd reagierte ängstlich auf den plötzlichen Lärm.
The horse reacted anxiously to the sudden noise.
Adverbial use with 'auf' + Accusative.
Seine ängstliche Besorgnis war völlig unbegründet.
His anxious concern was completely unfounded.
Adjective-noun combination.
Die ängstliche Einhaltung der Regeln behinderte den Fortschritt.
The anxious adherence to the rules hindered progress.
Nominalization and complex subject.
Sie pflegt einen ängstlichen Umgang mit neuen Technologien.
She maintains an anxious approach to new technologies.
Idiomatic expression 'Umgang pflegen'.
Die ängstliche Grundstimmung im Land war deutlich spürbar.
The underlying anxious mood in the country was clearly palpable.
Compound noun 'Grundstimmung'.
Er neigt dazu, in Krisenzeiten ängstlich zu reagieren.
He tends to react anxiously in times of crisis.
Verb 'neigen zu' + Infinitive clause.
Ihre ängstliche Zurückhaltung wurde oft als Arroganz missverstanden.
Her anxious restraint was often misunderstood as arrogance.
Passive voice construction.
Ein ängstlicher Charakter kann durch Therapie gestärkt werden.
An anxious character can be strengthened through therapy.
Modal passive.
Die ängstliche Erwartung des Schlimmsten lähmte seine Entscheidungskraft.
The anxious expectation of the worst paralyzed his decision-making power.
Complex genitive construction.
Die ängstliche Akribie, mit der er vorging, war beispiellos.
The anxious meticulousness with which he proceeded was unprecedented.
Relative clause with preposition.
In seinem Werk thematisiert der Autor die ängstliche Existenz des modernen Menschen.
In his work, the author addresses the anxious existence of modern man.
Formal literary analysis style.
Es war eine ängstliche Stille, die dem Sturm vorausging.
It was an anxious silence that preceded the storm.
Metaphorical usage.
Seine ängstliche Sorge um seinen Ruf trieb ihn in den Ruin.
His anxious concern for his reputation drove him to ruin.
Prepositional object 'um'.
Die ängstliche Vermeidung jeglichen Risikos ist oft das größte Risiko.
The anxious avoidance of any risk is often the greatest risk.
Philosophical statement.
Er beobachtete die Szene mit einer ängstlichen Faszination.
He observed the scene with an anxious fascination.
Oxymoronic pairing.
Die ängstliche Natur der Verhandlungen ließ kaum Raum für Kompromisse.
The anxious nature of the negotiations left little room for compromise.
Abstract noun usage.
Trotz der ängstlichen Vorzeichen wagten sie den Neuanfang.
Despite the anxious omens, they dared to start anew.
Plural dative after 'trotz' (in some registers) or genitive.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
혼동하기 쉬운
문장 패턴
사용법
Ängstlich is less intense than 'panisch' (panicked).
Ängstlich is about the feeling; feige is about the lack of character.
- Using 'haben' instead of 'sein'.
- Using 'über' instead of 'vor'.
- Forgetting adjective endings in attributive use.
- Confusing it with 'schüchtern' (social shyness).
- Mispronouncing the '-lich' as '-lick'.
팁
Preposition Match
Always pair 'ängstlich' with 'vor' when specifying the cause of fear. For example: 'ängstlich vor der Dunkelheit'.
Hase Metaphor
In German, a very fearful person is often called an 'Angsthase' (fear-rabbit). Use 'ängstlich' to describe them.
Soft CH
The '-lich' ending is pronounced with a soft 'ch' sound, not a hard 'k'. It's like the 'h' in 'huge'.
Adverbial Use
Use 'ängstlich' as an adverb to show, not just tell, how a character is feeling. 'Er schlich ängstlich davon'.
German Angst
Understand that 'ängstlich' can relate to the cultural concept of being very cautious and risk-averse.
Visual Link
Imagine a shivering person to remember 'ängstlich'. The word sounds a bit like 'anxious' if you squint!
Not Feige
Don't use 'ängstlich' if you mean someone is a coward; use 'feige' for that specific moral judgment.
B1 Tip
Try using the comparative 'ängstlicher' to compare your feelings in different situations.
Context Clues
When you hear 'ängstlich', look for the word 'vor' immediately after it to find the source of fear.
Stress
The stress is on the first syllable: ÄNGST-lich. Practice saying it with a sharp 'st' sound.
암기하기
어원
From Middle High German 'angestlīch', derived from the noun 'Angst'.
문화적 맥락
In German business culture, being 'ängstlich' is often seen as being 'risikoscheu' (risk-averse).
German parents often encourage children not to be 'ängstlich' to foster independence.
Being called 'ängstlich' can be slightly negative for adults, implying a lack of 'Zivilcourage' (civil courage).
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"Warst du als Kind ängstlich?"
"Bist du ängstlich, wenn du nachts allein im Wald bist?"
"Was macht dich am meisten ängstlich?"
"Sind Hunde deiner Meinung nach ängstliche Tiere?"
"Wie gehst du mit ängstlichen Menschen um?"
일기 주제
Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du sehr ängstlich warst.
Ist es besser, ängstlich oder zu mutig zu sein?
Wie hat sich deine Ängstlichkeit über die Jahre verändert?
Schreibe über einen ängstlichen Charakter in einem Buch.
Was sind die Vorteile davon, ein bisschen ängstlich zu sein?
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Not necessarily. It can be a natural reaction to danger or a sign of caution. However, as a character trait, it is often seen as something to overcome.
No, that is incorrect. You must say 'Ich bin ängstlich' (I am anxious) or 'Ich habe Angst' (I have fear).
Ängstlich refers to fear or anxiety in general. Schüchtern refers specifically to being shy or reserved in social situations.
You say 'Ich bin ängstlich vor der Zukunft' or 'Ich bin besorgt wegen der Zukunft'.
Yes, it is very common to describe pets as 'ängstlich', for example, if they are afraid of fireworks.
The most common opposites are 'mutig' (brave) or 'selbstbewusst' (self-confident).
It is neutral. It can be used in both formal writing and casual conversation.
Yes, it can describe how an action is performed, e.g., 'Er klopfte ängstlich an die Tür' (He knocked fearfully on the door).
It is considered an A1/A2 word, as it describes a basic human emotion.
Yes, it is the adjective form of the noun 'Angst'.
셀프 테스트 180 질문
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Ängstlich is a fundamental emotional adjective that helps you describe fear and anxiety with precision, whether as a fleeting emotion or a lasting personality characteristic.
- Ängstlich is the standard German adjective for 'anxious' or 'fearful'.
- It can describe a temporary feeling or a permanent character trait.
- Commonly used with the preposition 'vor' + Dative (e.g., ängstlich vor Hunden).
- It is a versatile word used in everyday, medical, and literary contexts.
Preposition Match
Always pair 'ängstlich' with 'vor' when specifying the cause of fear. For example: 'ängstlich vor der Dunkelheit'.
Hase Metaphor
In German, a very fearful person is often called an 'Angsthase' (fear-rabbit). Use 'ängstlich' to describe them.
Soft CH
The '-lich' ending is pronounced with a soft 'ch' sound, not a hard 'k'. It's like the 'h' in 'huge'.
Adverbial Use
Use 'ängstlich' as an adverb to show, not just tell, how a character is feeling. 'Er schlich ängstlich davon'.
예시
Das Kind war ängstlich im Dunkeln.
관련 콘텐츠
관련 문법 규칙
emotions 관련 단어
abgeneigt
B1무언가를 좋아하지 않거나 피하고 싶어하는 것.
ablehnend
B1무언가나 누군가를 승인하지 않거나 거부하는 듯한 태도를 보일 때 사용해요.
abneigen
B1누군가 또는 무언가에 대해 혐오감이나 반감을 느끼는 것.
Abneigung
B1Abneigung은 어떤 것이나 사람에 대한 강한 싫어함이나 혐오감을 의미합니다. 그것은 깊은 혐오감입니다. 회사에서의 갑작스러운 변화에 대한 약간의 혐오감이 있습니다.
Abscheu
B1아주 강한 싫어함이나 혐오감을 뜻해요.
abscheuen
B1강한 혐오감을 가지고 어떤 것, 혹은 누군가를 매우 싫어하는 것을 말해요.
Ach!
A1아! 정말 멋지네요. / 아, 그렇군요.
ach
A2아, 오; 놀람, 이해, 후회 등 다양한 감정을 표현합니다.
akzeptierend
B1accepting
Albtraum
A2악몽; 무서운 꿈이나 현실에서의 아주 끔찍한 상황. '나는 악몽을 꾸었다'는 'Ich hatte einen Albtraum'이라고 합니다.