German word

menschlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmɛnʃlɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivehuman

Example

Der menschliche Körper besteht aus vielen Zellen.

The human body is made up of many cells.

Illustration for menschlich (human)

More examples

Die menschliche Behandlung der Patienten ist wichtig.

The humane treatment of patients is important.

Core concept

A human hand suggests both the human species and the sympathetic or fallible behavior associated with people.

Common phrases

  • menschliche Behandlung

    humane treatment

  • menschliche Bedürfnisse

    human needs

  • menschliche Schwäche

    human weakness

Similar words

freundlich: Kind and polite in dealing with other people.
sympathisch: Pleasant and easy for others to like.
mitfühlend: Showing empathy for another person's pain or sadness.
human: Formal and emphasizing humanity, compassion, or humane treatment.

Definition in German

Auf Menschen bezogen; beschreibt sowohl die Zugehörigkeit zur menschlichen Art als auch Eigenschaften wie Mitgefühl oder Fehlbarkeit.

Word origin

The word combines Mensch, the German noun for a person, with -lich, a suffix that forms adjectives relating to the noun.

Usage tips

  • In Das ist menschlich, menschlich often makes a mistake or weakness seem understandable rather than describing biological membership.

Other meanings

  • human-likeadjective
  • humaneadjective

Opposites

  • unmenschlichinhumaneadjective
  • gefühllosinsensitiveadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word