feindlich
/ˈfaɪ̯ntlɪç/
The English word hostile is translated into German as feindlich.
feindlich is used to describe an antagonistic or inimical attitude. In specific contexts, such as business and finance, the phrase feindliche Übernahme is the standard technical term for a hostile takeover.
Meaning: antagonistic (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word feindlich is derived from the noun Feind, which means enemy.
Which one should you use?
While feindlich implies an active antagonism or enmity similar to that of an enemy, the word unfreundlich is used to describe simple rudeness or a lack of friendliness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavaria, the word grantig is used to mean grumpy or ill-tempered, which can imply hostility. In the Rhineland, knatschig is used to describe a person in a bad mood or acting in a hostile manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, feindlich takes standard inflectional endings based on the gender, case and number of the noun it modifies, such as in the phrase ein feindlicher Blick (a hostile look).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfaɪ̯ntlɪç/
Did you know?
- While feindlich describes an antagonistic state, the related word Feindbild refers to a 'mental image of an enemy'. It describes the stereotypical characteristics a society attributes to those they consider hostile.
- The German 'Feind' shares an ancestral root with the English word 'fiend', though in modern English 'fiend' has taken on a much more demonic or villainous connotation.
- The suffix -lich in feindlich functions similarly to the English suffix '-ly', but it is used to turn a noun into an adjective rather than an adverb.
Examples in context
- Wir, ACME GmbH, verkünden hiermit, dass wir uns mit aller Macht gegen diese feindliche Übernahme stemmen werden.We, ACME Ltd., hereby announce that we will resist with all our strength this hostile takeover.This sentence is useful for illustrating the technical term feindliche Übernahme in a business context.Tatoeba #10153136 by Yorwba, translation #328392 by fcbond
- Die Verhandlungen waren von Anfang an feindselig.The negotiations were hostile from the beginning.
- Seine gegnerische Haltung hat die Situation verschlimmert.His hostile attitude made the situation worse.
- Er war total sauer auf mich, also war er extrem feindselig.He was really mad at me, so he was extremely hostile.
- Warum ist er heute so giftig?Why is he so hostile today?
- Er blickte mich mit einem feindlichen Gesichtsausdruck an.He looked at me with a hostile expression.
- Die Menge reagierte sehr feindlich auf die Nachricht.The crowd reacted very hostilely to the news.
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are discussing a difficult coworker at the office.
- LukasWarum ist der neue Kollege so feindlich zu uns?Why is the new colleague so hostile toward us?
- SarahIch glaube, er fühlt sich in der Gruppe nicht wohl.I think he doesn't feel comfortable in the group.
- LukasSein Verhalten wirkt auf mich sehr aggressiv.His behavior seems very aggressive to me.
- SarahWir sollten versuchen, ihn freundlich zu behandeln.We should try to treat him kindly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry feindlich, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries feindlich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
