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adjectiveadverb

tüchtig

competent · capable

Jemand macht seine Arbeit gut, ist fleißig und kann viele Dinge gut.

Definition & meaning

tüchtig is an adjective with several related meanings:

  1. Capable, competent, or skilled — describing someone who can do a job well.
    Sie ist eine tüchtige Ärztin. means “She is a capable doctor.”

  2. Diligent, hardworking, or industrious — emphasizing effort and application.
    Er arbeitet tüchtig. means “He works hard.”

  3. Considerable or substantial — used informally to emphasize a large amount or strong degree.
    eine tüchtige Portion means “a generous portion”; Es hat tüchtig geregnet means “It rained heavily.”

Grammar & Word origin

tüchtig is an adjective. It can take adjective endings depending on its position: ein tüchtiger Mitarbeiter (“a capable employee”), but Der Mitarbeiter ist tüchtig (“The employee is capable”). Its comparative forms are tüchtiger and am tüchtigsten.

The word comes from Tucht, an older word meaning fitness or capability, and is related to taugen (“to be useful” or “to be suitable”). The noun Tüchtigkeit means “competence” or “diligence.”

Synonyms & antonyms

The best synonym depends on the intended meaning:

  • fähig and kompetent mean “capable” or “competent.” They focus more on ability or expertise, while tüchtig can also suggest diligence.
  • fleißig and arbeitsam mean “hardworking.” They emphasize effort rather than skill.
  • beträchtlich can mean “considerable” when tüchtig describes a large amount or degree. It is more neutral and less colloquial.

Possible antonyms also depend on context:

  • unfähig means “incapable,” the opposite of tüchtig as “competent.”
  • faul means “lazy,” the opposite when tüchtig means “hardworking.”
  • gering means “small” or “slight,” and contrasts with tüchtig in its informal sense of “considerable.”

Common phrases & collocations

  • tüchtig arbeiten — to work hard
  • ein tüchtiger Mitarbeiter — a capable, hardworking employee
  • eine tüchtige Portion — a generous portion
  • tüchtig regnen — to rain heavily

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Examples

Der neue Mitarbeiter ist tüchtig.adjective

The new employee is competent.

Dieser Kollege ist wirklich tüchtig.adjective

This colleague is really capable.

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