adjectiveadverb
bange
afraid · anxious
Voller Angst oder Sorge, dass etwas Schlimmes passieren könnte.
Definition & meaning
The German word bange is an adjective used to describe a state of fear, anxiety, or apprehension. It can be used in two primary ways:
- Feeling afraid or anxious: Being in a state of fear or worry about a specific situation or outcome. For example, "Mir ist bange" (I am afraid/I have a sinking feeling).
- Creating fear: Describing a situation or a person that causes anxiety or terror (often used in the construction "jemandem bange machen").
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: It is an adjective that is often used predicatively (e.g., "Ich bin bange"). In some regional dialects or older German, it can be declined, but in modern standard German, it remains indeclinable in most predicative uses. It is frequently used with the dative case to express who is feeling the fear (e.g., "Dem Kind ist bange").
- Origin: The word originates from the Middle High German "banc", which relates to "enge" (narrowness). This reflects the metaphorical sense of feeling "constricted" or "tight" in one's chest due to fear or anxiety.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
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Examples
Während des Sturms war es ihnen bange.adjective
During the storm, they were afraid.
Am Abend wurde ihr bange bei dem Gedanken an morgen.adjective
In the evening she became afraid at the thought of tomorrow.
Dem Kind ist etwas bange um sein Spielzeug.adjective
The child is somewhat anxious about its toy.
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