German word

positiv

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpoːzitiːf/

Meaning

  • adjectivepositive

Example

Er hat eine positive Einstellung.

He has a positive attitude.

Illustration for positiv (positive)

More examples

Die Werbung hinterließ einen positiven Eindruck.

The advertisement left a positive impression.

Core concept

A clear yes or favorable sign that points toward something being accepted, worthwhile, or present.

Common phrases

  • eine positive Einstellung

    a positive attitude

  • einen positiven Eindruck

    a positive impression

Similar words

optimistisch: Expecting future events to turn out well.
zuversichtlich: Feeling confident that the outcome will be successful.
ermutigend: Giving others courage or hope.
hoffnungsvoll: Feeling hopeful about the future.

Definition in German

Zustimmend oder bejahend; etwas als günstig oder vorteilhaft bewertend

Word origin

German positiv comes from Latin positivus, related to ponere, 'to place', and developed from 'placed or definite' to 'affirmative' and 'favorable'.

Usage tips

  • In medical and testing contexts, positiv means that a condition or substance was detected, so a positive result is not necessarily good news.

Other meanings

  • optimisticadjective
  • favorableadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Positivitätpositivitynoun

Word lists with this word