German word

fein

Pronunciation

IPA/faɪ̯n/

Meaning

  • adjectiveelegant

Example

Das ist ein feines Restaurant.

This is an elegant restaurant.

Illustration for fein (elegant)

More examples

Sie schenkte ihm feines Parfüm.

She gave him fine perfume.

Core concept

A polished, delicate quality that makes a person or thing feel carefully made and pleasing.

Common phrases

  • feines Geschenk

    fine gift

  • feines Parfüm

    fine perfume

Similar words

elegant: Sophisticated and graceful, with a calm, polished appearance or manner.
edel: Luxurious and distinguished, with a sense of high quality.
dezent: Understated and restrained, creating a calm impression without attracting too much attention.

Definition in German

Von hoher Qualität, elegant oder zart; oft eine zurückhaltende, positive Bewertung für Personen oder Dinge.

Word origin

German fein developed from earlier German forms borrowed from French fin, ultimately from Latin finis, and came to describe refined quality as well as fine texture.

Usage tips

  • Before a neuter noun such as Restaurant, the adjective takes the ending in ein feines Restaurant.

Other meanings

  • sophisticatedadjective
  • high-endadjective
  • first-rateadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Feingefühltactnoun
  • Feinschmeckergourmetnoun

Word lists with this word