steif
stiff
Etwas kann sich kaum bewegen oder wirkt hart und unbeweglich, oft weil es kalt ist oder sich nicht gut biegen lässt.
The German word "steif" is an adjective that means "stiff" or "rigid". It can describe something that is physically hard to bend or move, like a stiff piece of cloth. "Steif" can also be used metaphorically to describe a person who is formal or awkward in their behavior. The noun form of "steif" is "die Steifigkeit" meaning "stiffness."
Similar words in German include:
- "hart" (hard)
- "fest" (firm)
- "stur" (stubborn)
Differences:
- "Hart" emphasizes the hardness rather than the stiffness of an object or surface.
- "Fest" suggests firmness and solidity, often implying something is securely in place rather than just difficult to bend.
- "Stur" relates to a person's behavior, meaning stubborn or unyielding, rather than physical stiffness.
"Steif," thus, primarily focuses on the resistance to movement and can be applied both literally and metaphorically.
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Examples
Seine Haltung bleibt immer steif.adjective
His posture always remains stiff.
Der Kragen fühlt sich sehr steif an.adjective
The collar feels very stiff.
Der Anzug ist etwas steif für meinen Geschmack.adjective
The suit is a little stiff for my taste.
Wegen der Kälte sind meine Finger ganz steif.adjective
Because of the cold, my fingers are quite stiff.
Sein steifes Knie schmerzt bei jedem Schritt.adjective
His stiff knee hurts with every step.
Der alte Stoff fühlte sich sehr steif an.adjective
The old fabric felt very stiff.
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