German word

zurückhaltend

Pronunciation

IPA/tsuˈʁʏkˌhaltənt/

Meaning

  • adjectivereserved

Example

Ein zurückhaltender Mann sprach leise mit den Nachbarn.

A reserved man spoke quietly with the neighbors.

Illustration for zurückhaltend (reserved)

More examples

Im Meeting war sie zurückhaltend und meldete sich nur zu den wichtigsten Punkten.

At the meeting, she was reserved and spoke up only on the most important points.

Core concept

A person keeps half a step back, speaks softly, and leaves others room rather than filling the space.

Common phrases

  • ein zurückhaltender Eindruck

    a reserved impression

  • sich zurückhaltend verhalten

    act reservedly

Similar words

reserviert: Shows little emotion or opinion and remains subdued in public settings.
schüchtern: Feels tense around people, speaks softly, and finds it hard to approach strangers.
verschlossen: Keeps inner thoughts and feelings private rather than opening up to others.
distanziert: Maintains social distance and is not quick to form close relationships.

Definition in German

nicht aufdringlich sein; bewusst wenig sprechen oder handeln, um Abstand zu wahren

Word origin

The adjective comes from the verb zurückhalten, formed from zurück, 'back', and halten, 'hold', with the sense of holding oneself back.

Usage tips

  • In the example, zurückhaltender has the masculine nominative singular ending -er after the indefinite article ein.

Other meanings

  • cautiousadjective

Opposites

  • offenopenadjective
  • kontaktfreudigsociableadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word