German word

radikal

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁadiˈkaːl/

Meaning

  • adjectiveradical

Example

Er hat eine radikale Meinung.

He has a radical opinion.

Illustration for radikal (radical)

More examples

Viele Bürger lehnen radikale Reformen ab.

Many citizens reject far-reaching reforms.

Core concept

A hand pulls up a plant by its root instead of trimming its leaves, changing the whole growth from the foundation upward.

Common phrases

  • radikales Vorgehen

    radical approach

  • radikale Reformen

    far-reaching reforms

Similar words

extrem: Far beyond what is usual in degree, intensity, or character.
tiefgreifend: Reaching deeply into the structure or substance of something.
revolutionär: Overturning established systems to create a fundamentally new order.

Definition in German

eine Haltung oder Maßnahme, die an den Ursachen ansetzt und tiefgreifende Veränderungen fordert oder bewirkt

Word origin

Radikal comes from Latin radicalis, 'of the root,' which is built from radix, 'root,' and connects the word with fundamental change.

Usage tips

  • In German, radikal can describe a position or measure without implying violence; context determines whether it means fundamental or extreme.

Other meanings

  • thoroughadjective
  • extremeadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Radikalitätradicalitynoun
  • radikalisierenradicalizeverb

Word lists with this word