German Conversation · Level 66
75 words
German word
Härte
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈhɛɐ̯tə/
Meaning
- feminine nounhardness
Example
Die Härte dieses Materials ist hoch.
This material is very hard.
More examples
Die Härte des Wassers beeinflusst, wie viel Seife man braucht.
The hardness of the water affects how much soap one needs.
Core concept
The same quality feels unyielding in a material and in a person's treatment of others.
Common phrases
die Härte des Wassers
hardness of the water
eine hohe Härte
high hardness
bei geringer Härte
with low hardness
Similar words
Festigkeit: The ability to withstand force without breaking apart.
Zähigkeit: The ability to endure force without breaking, often by bending slightly.
Steifigkeit: The ability to keep its shape when bent or pressed.
Härtegrad: A measured value or scale indicating a material's hardness.
Definition in German
Härte bezeichnet sowohl die physische Festigkeit eines Stoffes als auch die Strenge oder Unnachgiebigkeit im Verhalten von Menschen.
Word origin
Härte developed as a noun from German hart, an inherited Germanic adjective meaning hard, with the vowel change marked by ä.
Usage tips
- For a person's conduct, Härte often sounds critical; Konsequenz or streng, aber fair can express a more favorable judgment.
Other meanings
- severitynoun
Opposites
- Weichheitsoftnessnoun
- Nachgiebigkeitpliabilitynoun
Related words
- Härtegraddegree of hardnessnoun
- harthardadjective
- härtenhardenverb