German word

frontal

Pronunciation

IPA/fʁɔnˈtaːl/

Meaning

  • adjectivehead-on

Example

Beim Unfall gab es einen frontalen Zusammenstoß.

There was a head-on collision in the accident.

Illustration for frontal (head-on)

More examples

Der Abgeordnete reagierte mit einer frontalen Auseinandersetzung auf die Kritik.

The member of parliament responded to the criticism with a direct confrontation.

Core concept

A vehicle or object moves straight into the front of another object.

Common phrases

  • frontaler Zusammenstoß

    frontal collision

  • frontale Auseinandersetzung

    direct confrontation

Similar words

gegenüberliegend: Positioned across from and facing another person, object, or place.
vorderer: Relating to or located toward the front of something.
seitlich: Located toward one side instead of the center.

Definition in German

So, dass etwas mit der Vorderseite gerade auf etwas trifft oder zwei Vorderseiten aufeinandertreffen.

Word origin

The adjective comes from Latin frontalis, an adjective based on frons for the front or forehead, and belongs to the international word family of frontal.

Usage tips

  • Frontal is relatively formal and compact, while everyday German often uses direkt von vorn for a simple front-facing description.

Other meanings

  • front-facingadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Frontalkollisionfrontal collisionnoun
  • Frontalangrifffrontal attacknoun

Word lists with this word