German word

scharf

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃaʁf/

Meaning

  • adjectivesharp

Example

Das scharfe Messer liegt auf dem Tisch.

The sharp knife lies on the table.

Illustration for scharf (sharp)

More examples

Seine scharfe Kritik traf den Politiker.

His sharp criticism struck the politician.

Core concept

A cutting edge and a fiery bite share a sense of strong, piercing intensity.

Common phrases

  • scharfes Messer

    sharp knife

  • scharfe Kritik

    sharp criticism

Similar words

mild: Having little heat and a gentle, mild flavor.
pikant: Having a lively, distinctly seasoned taste from salt or spices.
würzig: Having a rich, aromatic flavor from herbs or spices, without implying heat.

Definition in German

Mit starkem, brennendem Geschmack im Mund; würzig oder pikant.

Word origin

German scharf comes from Old High German scarf and Proto-Germanic *skarpaz, the same Germanic family as English sharp, with its taste sense developing from a cutting or biting quality.

Usage tips

  • For food, scharf usually means hot or spicy, while würzig can describe rich seasoning without implying heat.

Other meanings

  • spicyadjective
  • crispadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Schärfesharpnessnoun
  • schärfensharpenverb

Word lists with this word