massiv
/maˈsiːf/
The English phrase massive is translated into German as massiv.
massiv is used to describe something of great size, significance or import, such as a massive shortage. It can also describe physical objects that are solid or made of a single, heavy material, like a solid wood board.
Meaning: of great size, significance or import, overwhelming (adj)
Which one should you use?
While massiv can describe abstract magnitude, it is frequently used to describe physical objects that are solid or made of a single material.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word massiv can function as an adverb to modify verbs or adjectives, meaning 'massively' or 'heavily'.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈsiːf/
Did you know?
- In modern German slang, massiv is sometimes used as an intensifier similar to 'totally' or 'completely' to describe a strong feeling or opinion.
- In German geology, a Massiv is a specific noun referring to a large, coherent body of rock or a mountain range, such as the Hercynian Massiv.
- The word massiv is borrowed from the French word massif.
Examples in context
- Die schlechte Ernte verursachte eine massive Lebensmittelknappheit.The bad harvest caused massive food shortages.This sentence shows how to use massiv to describe food shortages.Tatoeba #3336293 by Manfredo, translation #318621 by CK
- Ein massives Erdbeben der Stärke 8,8 traf heute die japanischen Inseln.A massive earthquake of magnitude 8.8 hit the Japanese islands today.This sentence demonstrates the use of massiv in the context of an earthquake.Tatoeba #789602 by Esperantostern, translation #789593 by carou
- Es gab eine Menge Beschuss durch Kampfflugzeuge und Einsätze von kleinen Bombengeschwadern, nicht aber die „massive Vergeltung“ des Zweiten Weltkriegs.There was plenty of strafing by fighter planes and sorties by small bomber squadrons, but there was none of the "massive retaliation" of World War II.This sentence uses massiv in the context of a massive retaliation.Tatoeba #12337446 by Yorwba, translation #11622247 by Cangarejo
- Dieses Gebäude ist riesig.This building is massive.
- Wir haben ein riesiges Problem.We have a massive problem.
- Der Staudamm ist ein gewaltiges Bauwerk.The dam is a massive structure.
- Er hat eine gewaltige Leistung erbracht.He achieved a massive performance.
- Das Konzert war mega!The concert was massive!
- Hast du gesehen, wie riesig die Portionen dort sind?Did you see how massive the portions are there?
- Das Konzert war riesig! Die Band hat total gerockt.The concert was massive! The band totally rocked.
- Das war ein massive FehlerThat was a massive mistake
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are looking at a new piece-of-furniture in a shop.
- HannahDieser Tisch ist wirklich massiv.This table is really solid and massive.
- MaximilianJa, das Holz wirkt sehr massiv.Yes, the wood looks very massive.
- HannahEr ist aber auch sehr schwer.But it is also very heavy.
- MaximilianDas ist bei einem massiven Tisch normal.That is normal for a massive table.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “massive” translations and entries massiv, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries massiv, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
