German word

furchtbar

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfʊɐ̯çtbaːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adjectiveterrible

Example

Das ist ein furchtbares Buch.

That is a terrible book.

Illustration for furchtbar (terrible)

More examples

Das Erdbeben hinterließ furchtbare Folgen.

The earthquake left behind terrible consequences.

Core concept

An experience marked by severe unpleasantness or frightening intensity.

Common phrases

  • furchtbares Unglück

    terrible misfortune

  • furchtbare Folgen

    terrible consequences

  • furchtbares Erlebnis

    terrible experience

Similar words

schrecklich: Very unpleasant and frightening, often causing shock or distress.
schlimm: Serious or harmful in a way that may lead to bad results.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet etwas als schlimm oder erschreckend und wird häufig umgangssprachlich als ‚sehr‘ verwendet.

Word origin

Furchtbar developed from German Furcht, fear, plus the adjective-forming suffix -bar, with the literal sense of being fearsome.

Usage tips

  • The literal frightening sense and the colloquial intensifying sense depend on context, especially with positive words such as furchtbar gut.

Other meanings

  • frighteningadjective
  • terriblyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • furchtbarerweiseterriblyadverb
  • das Furchtbarethe terrible thingnoun

Word lists with this word