poetisch
poetic
So gestaltet, dass es schön, gefühlvoll und wie ein Gedicht klingt.
Definition & meaning
poetisch is an adjective meaning poetic. It describes something connected with poetry or possessing the qualities commonly associated with poetry, such as beauty, vivid imagery, emotional depth, rhythm, or an elevated style.
It can be used in several related ways:
-
Related to poetry or a poet
Something is poetisch when it belongs to or resembles poetry, for example poetic language or a poetic form. -
Lyrical, beautiful, or evocative
A description, image, landscape, or moment can be called poetisch when it creates a strong emotional or aesthetic impression. -
Idealized or romantically beautiful
In some contexts, poetisch means dreamlike, sentimental, or more beautiful than ordinary reality. It can occasionally suggest that something is unrealistic or overly idealized.
It can also be used adverbially: an action is performed “poetically.”
Grammar & Word origin
poetisch is an adjective and can be used:
- attributively: before a noun, with an appropriate adjective ending
- predicatively: after a linking verb
- adverbially: to describe how an action is performed
The word is formed from Poet (“poet”) with the suffix -isch, meaning “related to” or “characteristic of.” Poet ultimately comes from Latin poeta, from Ancient Greek poiētēs, “maker” or “creator.”
Related German nouns include Dichtung (“poetry” or “literature”) and Gedicht (“poem”).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- lyrisch — “lyrical”; emphasizes emotional expression and musicality. It is often close to poetisch, but can sound more specifically literary.
- dichterisch — “poetic” or “of a poet”; somewhat more formal and directly connected with a poet’s style.
- bildhaft — “imagistic” or “rich in imagery”; focuses on vivid mental pictures rather than poetry as a whole.
- romantisch — “romantic”; emphasizes emotion, idealization, or dreamlike beauty and is not necessarily connected with poetry.
- poesievoll — “full of poetry” or “poetic”; strongly emphasizes beauty and poetic feeling.
Antonyms
- prosaisch — “prosaic”; can mean related to ordinary prose or lacking poetic beauty. It is the closest direct contrast.
- nüchtern — “matter-of-fact” or “dry”; emphasizes a plain, unemotional presentation.
- sachlich — “objective” or “factual”; focuses on information rather than aesthetic or emotional expression.
- unpoetisch — “unpoetic”; the direct negation of poetisch.
Common phrases & collocations
- poetische Sprache — poetic language
- poetisches Bild — poetic image
- poetische Stimmung — poetic or lyrical mood
- poetische Freiheit — poetic license, allowing a writer or artist to depart from ordinary rules or facts
- poetisch verklärt — idealized or romanticized in a poetic way
- poetisch klingen — to sound poetic
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Examples
Die Geschichte klingt poetisch.adjective
The story sounds poetic.
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