Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| mächtig | /ˈmɛçtɪç/ (Germany) /ˈmɛçtɪk/ (Austria, Southern Germany, Switzerland) |
| kräftig | /ˈkʁɛftɪç/ /ˈkʁɛftɪk/ |
| kraftvoll | /ˈkʁaftˌfɔl/ |
In German, the choice of word depends entirely on what kind of power is being described. You use mächtig for power related to status, authority or political influence. You use kräftig for physical strength or the intensity of a sensation. You use kraftvoll to describe something with dynamic energy, vigor or expressive force.
What does it mean word for word?
The word kräftig is derived from the noun Kraft, meaning force, strength or power.
Which one should you use?
mächtig is used for social, political or structural power, such as a powerful person or a powerful corporation. kräftig is used for physical strength, such as powerful muscles or the intensity of a physical sensation like a powerful gust of wind. kraftvoll is used for describing something that possesses a sense of dynamic energy or expressive force, such as a powerful voice or a powerful performance.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Swiss German dialects, the variation Schtarch is used instead of the standard German stark.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmɛçtɪç/
Did you know?
- In casual German, mächtig is often used as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely', such as describing a 'mächtig' hunger.
- While kräftig describes strength, it is also the standard word for describing 'bold' or 'strong' flavors in food and wine.
- The English word 'crafty' is actually a distant relative of the German word kräftig.
Examples in context
- Tom hat kräftige Arme.Tom has powerful arms.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe physical strength using kräftig.Tatoeba #7636740 by wolfgangth, translation #3419680 by CK
- Er ist reich und mächtig.He's rich and powerful.This sentence shows the use of mächtig in the context of social status.Tatoeba #2756744 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1804034 by Spamster
- Sie ist mächtiger als du.She's more powerful than you.This sentence demonstrates how to use the comparative form of mächtig.Tatoeba #12450380 by Waldelfe, translation #5377882 by sundown
- Die neue Software hat eine starke Performance.The new software has a powerful performance.
- Der einflussreiche Geschäftsmann ist mächtig.The influential businessman is powerful.
- Der Zaubertrank ist sehr potent.The magic potion is very powerful.
- Das Konzert gestern war echt stark!Yesterday's concert was really powerful!
- 56 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are discussing a historical figure at a museum.
- JuliaDieser König war sehr mächtig.This king was very powerful.
- LukasJa, er hatte viel Einfluss.Yes, he had a lot of influence.
- JuliaEr war ein mächtiger Mann.He was a powerful man.
- LukasDas kann man nicht leugnen.You can't deny that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “powerful” translations and entries mächtig, kräftig, kraftvoll, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kraftvoll, kräftig, mächtig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
