300 fun & unique German adjectives to add magic to your vocab

Adorable, blue, clever, dreamy, elliptical… Adjectives give the worlds in our head shape, texture, color, and all kinds of other attributes. They make stories fun and nouns unique.

A car is just a car - but when you add an adjective, it becomes very tangible and specific: the silver car, the convertible car, the demolished car. AH! That one! We suddenly know which car you’re talking about. That’s the magic of adjectives.

As a new German learner, it can be difficult to express what you mean, but it’s best to be as specific as possible. So we’ll explain to you what exactly an adjective is before teaching you the most common German adjectives and how to use them.

Our comprehensive adjective lists have all the words you can think of: the funny ones, the pretty ones, the ones that describe colors and shapes - and even the ones that will make you look good in a dating profile! So grab your vocabulary book and a pen.

What are adjectives?

An adjective is an attribute that describes a noun. The word comes from the Latin verb “adicere”, which means “to add” or “to append.”

In German, we also call them “Wie-Wörter” (How-words) because they describe HOW something is. Picture a noun, something tangible, like a towel, and with an adjective, you add more meaning to the noun. A towel can be soft or rough, old or new, wet, red, smooth, fluffy or anything else you can think of.

In German, we distinguish three main types of adjectives: attributive (attributiv), predicative (prädikativ), and adverbial (adverbial).

Attributive

• An attributive adjective occurs before the noun and acts as an attribute to it.
• Example: Die schwarze Katze spielt. (The black cat is playing.)

Predicative

• A predicative adjective comes after verbs like “sein” (to be), “bleiben” (to remain) or “werden” (to become). It directly describes a noun.
• Example: Die Katze ist schwarz. (The cat is black.)

Adverbial

• An adverbial adjective follows a verb and therefore describes an activity. In English, adverbs generally end in “ly” (slowly, nicely, abruptly), unless they’re irregular (well, fast, hard). In German, they look just like other adjectives.
• Example: Die Katze schnurrt leise. (The cat is purring quietly.)

Top common adjectives in German list for beginners

Let’s start with the most common. These are the ones you will definitely need when learning German. You’ll notice that some of the most common adjectives come in opposites: Small, big, old, new, weak, and strong.

English	German	IPA
Small	Klein	[klaɪ̯n]
Big	Groß	[ɡʁoːs]
Old	Alt	[alt]
New	Neu	[nɔɪ̯]
Ugly	Hässlich	[ˈhɛslɪç]
Different	Anders	[ˈandɐs]
Similar	Ähnlich	[ˈɛːnlɪç]
Pretty	Schön	[ʃøːn]
Healthy	Gesund	[ɡəˈzʊnt]
Sick	Krank	[kʁaŋk]
Slow	Langsam	[ˈlaŋzaːm]
Clean	Sauber	[ˈzaʊ̯bɐ]
Dirty	Dreckig	[ˈdʁɛkɪç]
Fast	Schnell	[ʃnɛl]
Poor	Arm	[aʁm]
Rich	Reich	[ʁaɪ̯ç]
Weak	Schwach	[ʃvax]
Strong	Stark	[ʃtaʁk]
Flat	Flach	[flax]
Deep	Tief	[tiːf]
Broad	Breit	[bʁaɪ̯t]
Easy	Einfach	[ˈaɪ̯nfax]
Difficult	Schwierig	[ˈʃviːʁɪç]
Early	Früh	[fʁyː]
Late	Spät	[ʃpɛːt]
Cozy	Gemütlich	[ɡəˈmyːtlɪç]
Clear	Klar	[klaːɐ̯]
Loud	Laut	[laʊ̯t]
Quiet	Leise	[ˈlaɪ̯zə]
Natural	Natürlich	[naˈtyːɐ̯lɪç]
Warm	Warm	[vaʁm]
Cold	Kalt	[kalt]

Rating something in German

We try not to judge things but sometimes judgment and ratings are inevitable. Sometimes you just can’t help but notice that the weather is terrible - or the view is just wonderful.

English	German	IPA
Good	Gut	[ɡuːt]
Bad	Schlecht	[ʃlɛçt]
Great	Toll	[tɔl]
Wonderful	Wundervoll	[ˈvʊndɐˌfɔl]
Cool	Cool	[kuːl]
Fine	Fein	[faɪ̯n]
Mediocre	Mittelmäßig	[ˈmɪtl̩ˌmɛːsɪç]
Average	Durchschnittlich	[ˈdʊʁçˌʃnɪtlɪç]
Decent	Anständig	[ˈanˌʃtɛndɪç]
Awful	Furchtbar	[ˈfʊʁçtbaːɐ̯]
Terrible	Schrecklich	[ˈʃʁɛklɪç]
Abysmal	Grottenschlecht	[ˌɡʁɔtn̩ˈʃlɛçt]
Amazing	Wahnsinnig	[ˈvaːnˌzɪnɪç]
Fantastic	Fantastisch	[fanˈtastɪʃ]
Phenomenal	Phänomenal	[fɛnomeˈnaːl]
Incredible	Unglaublich	[ʊnˈɡlaʊ̯plɪç]
Exceptional	Außergewöhnlich	[ˈaʊ̯sɐɡəˌvøːnlɪç]
Excellent	Exzellent	[ɛkst͡sɛˈlɛnt]
Super	Super	[ˈzuːpɐ]
Perfect	Perfekt	[ˈpɛʁfɛkt]

Describing emotions in German

Language learning can be a roller-coaster of emotions. And learning German is no exception!

You may get frustrated during a grammar lesson - or maybe you get nervous when you speak German in front of others? But once you get it right, you’ll feel proud and happy, trust me.

Here are a number of adjectives that describe your emotions.

For an even more detailed list, refer to our article on emotions in German.

English	German	IPA
Happy	Glücklich	[ˈɡlʏklɪç]
Sad	Traurig	[ˈtʁaʊ̯ʁɪç]
Nervous	Nervös	[nɛʁˈvøːs]
Relaxed	Entspannt	[ɛntˈʃpant]
Glad	Froh	[fʁo:]
Joyful	Fröhlich	[fʁø:lɪç]
In love	Verliebt	[fɛɐ̯ˈliːpt]
Excited	Aufgeregt	[ˈaʊ̯fɡəˌʁeːkt]
Surprised	Überrascht	[y:bɐʁaʃt]
Thrilled	Begeistert	[bəgaɪ̯stɐt]
Delighted	Entzückt	[ɛntt͡sʏkt]
Euphoric	Euphorisch	[ɔʏ̯fo:ʁɪʃ]
Satisfied	Zufrieden	[tsu:fʁi:dən]
Peaceful	Friedlich	[fʁi:tlɪç]
Irritated	Genervt	[ge:nɛvt]
Angry	Wütend	[vy:tənt]
Furious	Rasend	[ʁa:zənt]
Jealous	Eifersüchtig	[ˈaɪ̯fɐˌzʏçtɪç]
Desperate	Verzweifelt	[fɛɐ̯ˈt͡svaɪ̯fl̩t]
Worried	Besorgt	[bəˈzɔʁkt]
Scared	Ängstlich	[ˈɛŋstlɪç]
Terrified	Verängstigt	[fɛɐ̯ˈʔɛŋstɪçt]
Embarrassed	Beschämt	[bəˈʃɛːmt]
Frustrated	Frustriert	[fʁʊsˈtʁiːɐ̯t]
Lonely	Einsam	[ˈaɪ̯nzaːm]
Cheerful	Fröhlich	[ˈfʁøːlɪç]
Grateful	Dankbar	[ˈdaŋkbaːɐ̯]
Jubilant	Jubilierend	[jubiˈliːʁənt]
Jolly	Vergnügt	[fɛɐ̯ˈɡnyːkt]
Serene	Heiter	[ˈhaɪ̯tɐ]

Personality trait adjectives

So you’ve learned quite a few German words and think it might be time for a trip to a German-speaking country? Everyone is special and has a unique personality, but when you travel, you definitely notice how people from certain cultures can also be very similar in certain ways. There are countless adjectives to describe people’s personality traits. Here are some of them.

English	German	IPA
Introverted	Introvertiert	[ˌɪntʁovɛʁˈtiːɐ̯t]
Extroverted	Extrovertiert	[ˌɛkstʁovɛʁˈtiːɐ̯t]
Intelligent	Intelligent	[ɪntɛliˈɡɛnt]
Smart	Schlau	[ʃlaʊ̯]
Determined	Entschlossen	[ɛntˈʃlɔsn̩]
Headstrong	Eigensinnig	[ˈaɪ̯ɡn̩ˌzɪnɪç]
Honest	Ehrlich	[ˈeːɐ̯lɪç]
Easy-going	Entspannt	[ɛntˈʃpant]
Responsible	Verantwortlich	[fɛɐ̯ˈʔantvɔʁtlɪç]
Determined	Zielstrebig	[ˈtsiːlˌʃtʁeːbɪç],
Compassionate	Mitfühlend	[ˈmɪtˌfyːlənt]
Empathetic	Empathisch	[ɛmˈpaːtɪʃ]
Friendly	Freundlich	[ˈfʁɔɪ̯ntlɪç]
Kind	Lieb	[liːp]
Shy	Schüchtern	[ˈʃʏçtɐn]
Lovely	Herzig	[ˈhɛʁt͡sɪç]
Loyal	Loyal	[loˈjaːl]
Courageous	Mutig	[ˈmuːtɪç]
Brave	Tapfer	[ˈtapfɐ]
Respectful	Respektvoll	[ʁeˈspɛktˌfɔl]
Fair	Fair	[fɛːɐ̯]
Social	Sozial	[zoˈtsiaːl]
Passionate	Leidenschaftlich	[ˈlaɪ̯dn̩ʃaftlɪç]
Amusing	Amüsant	[amyˈzant]
Funny	Lustig	[ˈlʊstɪç]
Quirky	Schräg	[ʃʁɛːk]
Neat	Gepflegt	[ɡəˈp͡fleːkt]
Messy	Unordentlich	[ˈʊnʔɔʁdn̩tlɪç]
Chaotic	Chaotisch	[kaˈʔoːtɪʃ]
Humble	Bescheiden	[bəˈʃaɪ̯dn̩]
Skittish	Launisch	[ˈlaʊ̯nɪʃ]
Special	Speziell	[ʃpeˈt͡si̯ɛl]
Unique	Einzigartig	[ˈaɪ̯nt͡sɪçˌʔaːɐ̯tɪç]

Describing food and drink in German

If you do get to visit, you’re gonna want to talk about that delicious German food and describe your new favorite snacks and drinks to others. So you’ll need some of these food- and drink-related adjectives in German, as well.

English	German	IPA
Tasty	Lecker	[ˈlɛkɐ]
Delicious	Köstlich	[ˈkœstlɪç]
Sour	Sauer	[ˈzaʊ̯ɐ]
Bitter	Bitter	[ˈbɪtɐ]
Sweet	Süß	[ˈzyːslɪç]
Sweetish	Süßlich	[ˈzyːslɪç]
Salty	Salzig	[ˈzaltsç]
Savoury	Herzhaft	[ˈhɛʁt͡shaft]
Fresh	Frisch	[fʁɪʃ]
Hot	Heiß	[haɪ̯s]
Spicy	Scharf	[ʃaʁf]
Cold	Kalt	[kalt]
Light	Leicht	[laɪ̯çt]
Aromatic	Aromatisch	[aʁoˈmaːtɪʃ]
Piquant	Pikant	[piˈkant]
Nutty	Nussig	[nʊsɪç]
Fruity	Fruchtig	[ˈfʁʊxtɪç]
Strong	Stark	[ʃtaʁk]
Stout	Kräftig	[ˈkʁɛftɪç]
Hoppy	Hopfig	[ˈhɔpfɪg]
Malty	Malzig	[ˈməlzɪg]
Roasty	Röstig	[ʁøːstɪg]
Sharp	Herb	[hɛʁp]
Earthy	Erdig	[ˈeːɐ̯dɪç]
Frothy	Schaumig	[ˈʃaʊ̯mɪç]
Grainy	Körnig	[ˈkœʁnɪç]
Caramelly	Karamellig	[kaʁaˈmɛlɪç]
Acidic	Säuerlich	[ˈzɔɪ̯ɐlɪç]
Spoiled	Verdorben	[fɛɐ̯ˈdɔʁbn̩]
Moldy	Schimmelig	[ˈʃɪmlɪç]
Disgusting	Widerlich	[ˈviːdɐlɪç]
Pescatarian	Pescetarisch	[pɛskeˈtaːʁɪʃ]
Vegetarian	Vegetarisch	[veɡeˈtaːʁɪʃ]
Vegan	Vegan	[veˈɡaːn]
Plant-based	Pflanzlich	[pflantslɪç]
Dairy-free	Milchfrei	[mɪlçfʁaɪ̯]
Egg-free	Eifrei	[aɪ̯fʁaɪ̯]
Gluten-free	Glutenfrei	[ɡluˈteːnˌfʁaɪ̯]
Kosher	Koscher	[ˈkoːʃɐ]
Halal	Halal	[haˈlaːl]

Funny German adjectives

We already know that German has some of the funniest words, and many of them are adjectives. Here are our favorites.

English	German	IPA
Airy-fairy	Larifari	[laʁiˈfaːʁi]
Droll	Pudelnärrisch	[ˈpuːdlˈnɛʁɪʃ]
Cutesy	Possierlich	[pɔˈsiːɐ̯lɪç]
Bonkers	Meschugge	[meˈʃʊɡə]
Cute	Putzig	[ˈpʊt͡sɪç]
Wonderful	Putzwunderlich	[pʊt͡sˈvʊndɐlɪç]
Being home alone	Sturmfrei	[ˈʃtʊʁmˌfʁaɪ̯]
Goldy	Goldig	[ˈɡɔldɪç]
All the same	Schnuppe	[ˈʃnʊpə]
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious	Superkalifragilistischexpiallegetisch	[ˈzu:pɛɐ̯ˈkali:ˈfʁagɪˈlɪstɪʃˈɛkspɪˈa:le:ˈgətɪʃ]

Beautiful German adjectives

German is not just funny. It can also be surprisingly pretty! These are some of the most beautiful German words words we love using to describe.

English	German	IPA
Shiny	Glänzend	[ˈɡlɛnt͡sn̩t]
Scenic	Malerisch	[ˈmaːləʁɪʃ]
Aesthetic	Ästhetisch	[ˌɛsˈteːtɪʃ]
Artsy	Künstlerisch	[ˈkʏnstləʁɪʃ]
Translucent	Lichtdurchlässig	[ˈlɪçtˌdʊʁçlɛsɪç]
Delicate	Zart	[tsaːɐ̯t]
Glamorous	Glamourös	[ɡlamuˈʁøːs]
Lyrical	Lyrisch	[ˈlyːʁɪʃ]
Poetic	Poetisch	[poˈeːtɪʃ]
Mellifluous	Lieblich	[ˈliːplɪç]
As sweet as honey	Honigsüß	[hoːnɪçˈzyːs]
Dainty	Anmutig	[ˈanmuːtɪç]
Filigree	Filigran	[filiˈɡʁaːn]
Splendid	Prächtig	[ˈpʁɛçtɪç]
Gorgeous	Umwerfend	[ˈʊmˌvɛʁfn̩t]
Dazzling	Blendend	[ˈblɛndn̩t]
Sparkly	Funkelnd	[ˈfʊŋkl̩nt]
Breathtaking	Atemberaubend	[ˈaːtəmbəˌʁaʊ̯bn̩t]

For more ways to say beautiful in German, read more here.

Describing colors in German

One especially beautiful aspect of life is its colors!! Just think of purple lavender fields, lush green forests, and the color of your favorite person’s eyes! Knowing colors in German is going to make your vocab a lot more expressive!

English	German	IPA
Red	Rot	[ʁoːt]
Rust	Rostrot	[ˈʁɔstˌʁoːt]
Crimson	Purpurrot	[ˈpʊʁpʊʁˌʁoːt]
Maroon	Kastanienrot	[kastaniənʁoːt]
Scarlet	Scharlachrot	[ˈʃaʁlaxˌʁoːt]
Yellow	Gelb	[ɡɛlp]
Gold	Gold	[ɡɔlt]
Mustard	Senf	[zɛɱf]
Cream	Creme	[kʁeːm]
Pink	Rosa	[ˈʁoːza]
Hot Pink	Pink	[pɪŋk]
Magenta	Magenta	[maˈɡɛnta]
Blue	Blau	[blaʊ̯]
Turquoise	Türkis	[tʏʁˈkiːs]
Teal	Petrol	[pe.tʁoːl]
Cyan	Cyan	[siɑ̃n]
Sky Blue	Himmelblau	[ˈhɪml̩blaʊ̯]
Navy Blue	Marineblau	[maˈʁiːnəblaʊ̯]
Green	Grün	[ɡʁyːn]
Emerald	Smaragd	[smaˈʁakt]
Sage	Salbei	[ˈzalbaɪ̯]
Jade	Jade	[ˈjaːdə]
Olive	Olive	[oˈliːvə]
Mint	Mintgrün	[mɪntɡʁyːn]
Purple	Lila	[ˈliːla]
Lavender	Lavendel	[laˈvɛndl̩]
Violet	Violett	[vioˈlɛt]
Lilac	Flieder	[ˈfliːdɐ]
Orange	Orange	[oˈʁɑ̃ːʒə]
Amber	Bernstein	[ˈbɛʁnˌʃtaɪ̯n]
Mango	Mango	[ˈmaŋɡo]
Blue	Blau	[blaʊ̯]
Bright	Hell	[hɛl]
Dark	Dunkel	[ˈdʊŋkl̩]

Describing shapes in German

We often find ourselves describing the shape of something we see - from the round football to the open window.

English	German	IPA
Round	Rund	[ʁʊnt]
Flat	Flach	[flax]
Angular	Eckig	[ˈɛkɪç]
Symmetrical	Symmetrisch	[zʏˈmeːtʁɪʃ]
Bent	Gebogen	[ɡəˈboːɡn̩]
Twisted	Verdreht	[fɛɐ̯ˈdʁeːt]
Open	Offen	[ˈɔfn̩]
Closed	Geschlossen	[ɡəˈʃlɔsn̩]
Oval	Oval	[oˈvaːl]
Dull	Stumpf	[ʃtʊmp͡f]
Sharp	Scharf	[ʃaʁf]
Pointy	Spitz	[ʃpɪt͡s]
Geometric	Geometrisch	[ɡeoˈmeːtʁɪʃ]
Triangular	Dreieckig	[ˈdʁaɪ̯ʔɛkɪç]
Spheric	Kugelförmig	[ˈkuːɡl̩ˌfœʁmɪç]
Square	Viereckig	[ˈfiːɐ̯ˌʔɛkɪç]
Rectangular	Rechteckig	[ˈʁɛçtʔɛkɪç]

How to describe yourself in a dating profile

Now you’ve been here for a while and would like to check out the dating world? An online profile is an easy way to do it. Make a good first impression with a nice German profile text about yourself, and use any of these words to describe yourself as a good catch!

English	German	IPA
Funny	Lustig	[ˈlʊstɪç]
Loyal	Loyal	[loˈjaːl]
Caring	Fürsorglich	[ˈfyːɐ̯ˌzɔʁklɪç]
Loving	Liebevoll	[ˈliːbəˌfɔl]
Romantic	Romantisch	[ʁoˈmantɪʃ]
Sensitive	Sensibel	[zɛnˈziːbl̩]
Affectionate	Herzlich	[ˈhɛʁt͡slɪç]
Cuddly	Verschmust	[fɛɐ̯ˈʃmuːst]
Deep	Tiefgründig	[ˈtiːfˌɡʁʏndɪç]
Classy	Stilvoll	[ˈʃtiːlfɔl]
Thoughtful	Nachdenklich	[ˈnaːxˌdɛŋklɪç]
Bright	Gescheit	[ɡəˈʃaɪ̯t]
Witty	Geistreich	[ˈɡaɪ̯stˌʁaɪ̯ç]
Educated	Gebildet	[ɡəˈbɪldət]
Cultured	Kultiviert	[kʊltiˈviːɐ̯t]
Respectful	Respektvoll	[ʁeˈspɛktˌfɔl]
Down-to-earth	Bodenständig	[ˈbodnˌʃtɛndɪç],
Intellectual	Intellektuell	[ˌɪntɛlɛktuˈɛl]
Demanding	Anspruchsvoll	[ˈanʃpʁʊxsˌfɔl]
Silly	Albern	[ˈalbɐn]
Clumsy	Tollpatschig	[ˈtɔlpat͡ʃɪç]
Bubbly	Quirlig	[ˈkvɪʁlɪç]
Serious	Ernst	[ɛʁnst]
Charming	Charmant	[ʃaʁˈmant]
Sexy	Sexy	[ˈsɛksi]
Spontaneous	Spontan	[ʃpɔnˈtaːn]
Adventurous	Abenteuerlustig	[ˈaːbntɔɪ̯ɐlʊstɪç]
Playful	Verspielt	[fɛɐ̯ˈʃpiːlt]
Wild	Wild	[vɪlt]
Active	Aktiv	[ˈaktiːf]
Charismatic	Charismatisch	[kaʁɪsˈmaːtɪʃ]
Considerate	Rücksichtsvoll	[ˈʁʏkzɪçt͡sˌfɔl]
Grounded	Geerdet	[ɡəˈʔeːɐ̯dət]

We've got some handy phrases for love and dating in German right here, as a bonus add-on.

How to describe yourself in a cover letter

Now that you’ve learned hundreds of adjectives in German, we think you’re ready to land a job in a German-speaking environment - but it’s still important to choose the right words in your cover letter. All these adjectives are sure to impress your future German employer.

English	German	IPA
Hard-working	Arbeitsam	[ˈaʁbaɪ̯tzaːm]
Reliable	Zuverlässig	[ˈtsuːfɛɐ̯ˌlɛsɪç]
Responsible	Verantwortungsvoll	[fɛɐ̯ˈʔantvɔʁtʊŋsˌfɔl]
Punctual	Pünktlich	[ˈpʏŋktlɪç]
Observant	Aufmerksam	[ˈaʊ̯fˌmɛʁkzaːm]
Detail-oriented	Detailorientiert	[deˈtaɪ̯oʁiɛnˈtiːɐ̯t]
Thorough	Gründlich	[ˈɡʁʏntlɪç]
Inventive	Erfinderisch	[ɛɐ̯ˈfɪndəʁɪʃ]
Positive	Positiv	[ˈpoːzitiːf]
Eager	Eifrig	[ˈaɪ̯fʁɪç]
Motivated	Motiviert	[motiˈviːɐ̯t]
Organized	Organisiert	[ɔʁɡaniˈziːɐ̯t]
Efficient	Effizient	[ɛfiˈt͡si̯ɛnt]
Proactive	Proaktiv	[pʁoʔakˈtiːf]
Collaborative	Kollaborativ	[kɔlaboʁaˈtiːf]
Committed	Engagiert	[ɑ̃ɡaˈʒiːɐ̯t]
Flexible	Flexibel	[flɛˈksiːbl̩]
Patient	Geduldig	[ɡəˈdʊldɪç]
Resilient	Belastbar	[bəˈlastbaːɐ̯]
Dedicated	Hingebungsvoll	[ˈhɪnɡeːbʊŋsˌfɔl]
Driven	Strebsam	[ˈʃtʁeːpz̥aːm]
Ambitious	Ambitioniert	[ambitsioˈniːɐ̯t]
Confident	Zuversichtlich	[ˈtsuːfɛɐ̯ˌzɪçtlɪç]
Accomplished	Vollkommen	[ˈfɔlkɔmən]
Goal-oriented	Versierter	[vɛʁˈziːɐ̯tɐ]
Focused	Fokussiert	[fokʊˈsiːɐ̯t]
Innovative	Innovativ	[ɪnovaˈtiːf]
Passionate	Leidenschaftlich	[ˈlaɪ̯dn̩ʃaftlɪç]
Curious	Neugierig	[ˈnɔɪ̯ˌɡiːʁɪç]
Imaginative	Einfallsreich	[ˈaɪ̯nfalsˌʁaɪ̯ç]
Creative	Kreativ	[ˌkʁeaˈtiːf]
Multi-lingual	Mehrsprachig	[ˈmeːɐ̯ˌʃpʁaːxɪç]

FAQ for adjectives in German

1. What determines the gender of adjectives in German?

There are three genders in German. For predicative and adverbial adjectives, the noun’s gender is irrelevant. Attributive adjectives, which come directly before the noun, do take the noun’s gender (die schwarze Katze: the black cat, female).

2. How to make plural adjectives in German?

Attributive adjectives also take the numerus of the noun, either singular or plural.

• Singular: Ein kleiner Junge (one little boy)
• Plural: Zwei kleine Jungen (two little boys).

3. Placement of German adjectives

Generally, the German adjective order is the same as in English.

Type of adjective	English	German
Attributive	The little boat floated.	Das kleine Boot trieb.
Predicative	The ocean is deep.	Der Ozean ist tief.
Adverbial	The shark circled slowly.	Der Hai kreiste langsam.

Notice that in German, word order is a lot more flexible than in English. So for predicative and adverbial adjectives, it’s possible to use the adjective at the beginning of the sentence, but only if you want to put special emphasis on it:

• Tief ist der Ozean.
• Langsam kreiste der Hai.

4. Which adjectives change form in German?

Only attributive adjectives change form in German.

5. How to form comparative adjectives

For regular adjectives, the comparative form in German is “er”:

• Schnell → Schneller
• Voll → Voller
• Schön → Schöner
  

6. How to form superlative adjectives in German

For regular adjectives, the superlative form in German is “sten”, following the preposition “am”.

• Schnell → Am schnellsten
• Voll → Am vollsten
• Schön → Am schönsten

7. How to add emphasis

To emphasize an adjective, you can simply add “sehr” (very), “wirklich” (really) or “echt” (truly) directly before it.

Adjectives make each sentence come alive

You just learned 300 words to describe people, places and things in German! Time to take a breather and be proud of yourself. The next time you’ll read an article on our German language blog, I’m sure you’ll pay special attention to those adjectives.

Thanks to them, a simple “world of articles” turns into a beautiful, big world full of educational, clever articles. Adjectives make each story and every single sentence come alive.