adjective

kompakt

compact

Etwas, das klein, dicht und gut zusammengefasst ist.

Definition & meaning

The word kompakt is an adjective used to describe something that is solid, dense, or occupies very little space. It is typically used in the following contexts:

Physical size and density: It refers to objects that are small, firmly packed, or constructed in a space-saving manner. For example, a "kompakt" car is a vehicle that is smaller than a standard sedan, and a "kompakt" camera is designed to be portable and easy to handle.
Abstract or conceptual usage: It can describe a summary, a piece of writing, or an argument that is concise, dense, and contains a lot of information in a small amount of text. For example, a "kompakt" overview provides the most important facts without unnecessary detail.
Scientific/Technical: It describes materials that are highly compressed, solid, or having a high density.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: It is an adjective. When used before a noun, it follows standard German declension rules (e.g., ein kompakter Aufbau, eine kompakte Bauweise).
Word origin: It is derived from the Latin word compactus, which is the past participle of compingere, meaning "to fasten together" or "to pack together." It entered the German language through the French compact.