German word

Krieg

Pronunciation

IPA/kʁiːk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwar

Example

Der Krieg hat viele Städte zerstört.

The war destroyed many cities.

Illustration for Krieg (war)

More examples

Viele Menschen wollen keinen Krieg.

Many people do not want a war.

Core concept

Armies and larger groups remain engaged in a destructive contest for power, territory, or control.

Common phrases

  • keinen Krieg wollen

    want no war

  • gegen den Krieg sein

    be against war

  • im Krieg kämpfen

    fight in a war

Similar words

Konflikt: Opposition between parties caused by conflicting views or interests.
Streit: A verbal quarrel between individuals or small groups.
Gewalt: Physical force used to injure people or damage things.
Kampf: An effort to reach a goal through struggle, force, or other means.

Definition in German

Krieg ist ein organisierter, meist groß angelegter bewaffneter Konflikt zwischen Staaten oder größeren Gruppen.

Word origin

The German noun Krieg continues Old High German krieg and Middle High German kriec, forms that referred to struggle or conflict before developing the modern sense of war.

Usage tips

  • For an ordinary personal disagreement, Streit is usually more appropriate than Krieg because Krieg has a much stronger and more serious tone.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word