adjectiveadverb

feige

cowardly

Definition & meaning

The word feige primarily functions as an adjective in German. It describes a person, behavior, or action that demonstrates a lack of courage or bravery. It is often used pejoratively to characterize someone who avoids risks, challenges, or responsibilities out of fear.

Additionally, when capitalized as a noun (die Feige), it refers to the sweet, soft, pear-shaped fruit of the fig tree. While the adjective and the noun are spelled the same (aside from capitalization), they have entirely different linguistic roots.

Grammar & Word origin

As an adjective, feige is inflected according to the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies (e.g., ein feiger Mann, eine feige Tat). Its origin lies in the Middle High German word veige, which originally meant "doomed to death" or "unfortunate." Over centuries, the meaning shifted from someone destined for a bad fate to someone who is timid or lacks the spirit to fight.

The noun die Feige (plural: die Feigen) is a feminine noun. It originates from the Old High German fīga, which was borrowed from the Latin word ficus.