Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stärke | /ˈʃtɛrkə/ | feminine |
| Kraft | /kʁaft/ | feminine |
| Festigkeit | feminine |
In German, the choice of word for strength depends on whether you are describing an abstract quality, physical energy or the structural integrity of a material. Stärke is used for abstract strength, such as character strength or the intensity of a stimulus like light or sound. It is also the word used when discussing someone's 'strengths and weaknesses' (Stärken und Schwächen).
Which one should you use?
The different forms of the word are used in specific contexts: Stärke refers to abstract strength, intensity or a positive quality. Kraft is typically used to refer to physical power, energy or the force required to perform an action. Festigkeit refers to the physical firmness, solidity or structural integrity of a material.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three nouns are feminine and take the definite article die: die Stärke, die Kraft and die Festigkeit.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃtɛrkə/
Did you know?
- The English word 'craft', as in 'handicraft' or 'witchcraft', is actually a distant linguistic relative of the German Kraft, sharing the same ancient root for 'power' or 'ability'.
- The word Kraft appears in the term Kraftfahrzeug, the official German word for a 'motor vehicle'. Here, it literally means a 'strength-vehicle' or 'power-vehicle'.
- German uses Kraft to describe the 'strength' of an argument or a legal mandate, such as in Kraft treten, which means a law has 'entered into strength' or come into force.
Examples in context
- Seine Kraft lässt nach.His strength is waning.This sentence is useful for showing how Kraft can wane.Tatoeba #11498264 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #287081 by sundown
- Er hat keine Kraft mehr.He has no more strength.This sentence demonstrates using Kraft to say someone has no more strength.Tatoeba #439592 by landano, translation #488161 by saasmath
- Ich habe nicht die Kraft.I don't have the strength.This sentence shows how to express not having the strength using Kraft.Tatoeba #12652444 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12652442 by rul
- Die Stärke der Gemeinschaft soll uns durch schwierige Zeiten tragen.The strength of the community will carry us through difficult times.
- Als Polizist/in benötigen Sie viel Kraft, um Ihre Aufgaben zu erfüllen.As a police officer, you need a lot of strength to fulfill your duties.
- Wenn das Leben dich herausfordert, musst du Stärke zeigen.When life challenges you, you have to show strength.
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are talking about their workout results.
- SarahHast du deine Stärke im Training bemerkt?Did you notice your strength during training?
- LukasJa, Lukas fühlt sich viel stärker jetzt.Yes, Lukas feels much stronger now.
- SarahDas ist eine große Stärke von dir.That is a great strength of yours.
- LukasDanke, Sarah, das ist sehr nett.Thanks, Sarah, that is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strength” translations and entries Stärke, Kraft, Festigkeit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Kraft, Stärke, kraft, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
