Energie
/eneʁˈɡiː/feminine
The German word for energy is Energie.
Energie refers to the capacity to do work.
Meaning: capacity to do work (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Energie is the general term, other words may be more precise. Antrieb is used when referring to a driving force like motivation or propulsion, and Energetik is used in technical or scientific contexts to describe the study of energy. In more casual contexts, Schwung can express momentum or liveliness and Elan denotes enthusiasm or zest.
How does it change in a sentence?
Energie is a feminine noun. The plural form is Energien, and the genitive form is der Energie.
How do you pronounce it?
/eneʁˈɡiː/
Did you know?
- The word Elan, used to describe a zestful energy, is a loanword from French that German speakers use to imply a specific type of spirited enthusiasm.
- The word Energie is derived from the Ancient Greek enérgeia, combining en meaning 'in' and érgon meaning 'work'.
- If you want to describe someone with high energy as being 'full of beans', a German might instead say they are voller Elan, focusing on their zest rather than food.
Examples in context
- Tom ist voller Energie.Tom is full of energy.This sentence shows how to describe someone being full of Energie.Tatoeba #7636384 by wolfgangth, translation #3426327 by CK
- Du bist voller Energie.You are full of energy.Tatoeba #10083836 by wolfgangth, translation #3336520 by Jesse
- Er strotzte vor Energie.He was bursting with energy.This sentence shows how to describe someone bursting with Energie.Tatoeba #814946 by al_ex_an_der, translation #670474 by DancingHorses
- Die Sonne liefert erneuerbare Energie.The sun provides renewable energy.
- Physikalische Kraft kann in Energie umgewandelt werden.Physical force can be converted into energy.
- Unsere Vision dient als Antrieb für innovative Energiekonzepte.Our vision serves as motivation for innovative energy concepts.
- Die Energetik erforscht verschiedene Formen von Energie.Energetics investigates various forms of energy.
- Los, gib Gas! Zeig uns deine Power!Come on, step on it! Show us your energy!
- Dieses Lied hat einen mitreißenden Schwung.This song has an infectious energy.
- Mit Elan gehen wir an neue Projekte heran.We approach new projects with enthusiasm.
- Die Leistung der Maschine ist beeindruckend.The machine's energy output is impressive.
- 134 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are talking after a long day of hiking.
- JuliaIch habe keine Energie mehr.I have no energy left.
- LukasIch bin auch total erschöpft, Julia.I am also totally exhausted, Julia.
- JuliaWoher nimmst du nur deine Energie?Where do you get your energy from?
- LukasVielleicht liegt es an meinem Frühstück.Maybe it's because of my breakfast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “energy” translations and entries Energie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Energie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
