German word

vorsichtig

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌzɪçtɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivecareful

Example

Ich muss vorsichtiger fahren.

I have to drive more carefully.

Illustration for vorsichtig (careful)

More examples

Die Zeugin war vorsichtig bei ihrer Aussage.

The witness was careful in her statement.

Core concept

A person moving along an unfamiliar path scans ahead, checks each step, and avoids hazards before they cause harm.

Common phrases

  • vorsichtig sein

    be careful

  • vorsichtig erscheinen

    appear cautious

  • vorsichtig handeln

    act cautiously

Similar words

umsichtig: Keeping future effects and the interests of everyone involved in mind.
bedacht: Making decisions only after thoughtful consideration.
behutsam: Using a gentle touch when dealing with people or fragile things.
sorgfältig: Performing work accurately by checking the details closely.

Definition in German

Behutsam und umsichtig handeln, um Schaden oder Fehler zu verhindern.

Word origin

Vorsichtig is formed from the noun Vorsicht, built from vor, "ahead" or "before," and Sicht, "sight," with the adjective suffix -ig.

Usage tips

  • With an activity, vorsichtig commonly appears in phrases such as vorsichtig fahren; with a noun, vorsichtig mit takes the dative.

Other meanings

  • cautiousadjective
  • waryadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Vorsichtcautionnoun
  • vorsichtigerweisecautiouslyadverb
  • Vorsichtshinweiscautionary noticenoun

Word lists with this word