dick
/dɪk/
The German word for thick is dick.
dick is used to describe something that is relatively great in extent from one surface to another.
Meaning: relatively great in extent from one surface to another (adj)
Which one should you use?
While dick means 'thick' in a physical sense, it is also used colloquially to mean 'fat' when describing a person, which can be considered blunt or rude.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used before a feminine noun, the adjective 'dick' takes the ending -e, such as in eine dicke Schicht (a thick layer). When used with a masculine noun in the accusative case, the adjective 'dick' takes the ending -en, such as in einen dicken Mantel (a thick coat).
How do you pronounce it?
/dɪk/
Did you know?
- When someone is 'thick-skinned' and doesn't take offense, Germans use the phrase ein dickes Fell haben, meaning 'to have a thick pelt'.
- In some German dialects, dick is used to describe a high concentration of something in a liquid, such as dicke Luft, which can mean 'heavy air' or a tense atmosphere.
- The phrase dick befreundet means two people are 'close friends'. In this context, dick describes the strength and density of the bond rather than physical size.
Examples in context
- Das Buch ist dick.The book is thick.This sentence is useful for describing the thickness of a book using dick.Tatoeba #8320541 by MisterTrouser, translation #10060003 by ddnktr
- Die Suppe ist dick.The soup is thick.This sentence is useful for describing the thickness of a soup using dick.Tatoeba #7769595 by Yorwba, translation #60991 by CK
- Der Schleim ist dick.The mucus is thick.This sentence is useful for describing the thickness of mucus using dick.Tatoeba #12412681 by Yorwba, translation #35782 by handsomelyian
- Das Eis ist dick.The ice is thick.
- Die Kleidung ist dick.The clothing is thick.
- Der Stoff ist stark.The fabric is thick.
- Das Buch ist echt dick.The book is seriously thick.
- 82 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are looking at a piece of wood in a workshop.
- JuliaIst dieses Holz sehr dick?Is this wood very thick?
- MaximilianJa, es ist ziemlich dick.Yes, it is quite thick.
- JuliaWir brauchen etwas Dickeres für den Tisch.We need something thicker for the table.
- MaximilianIch werde ein dickeres Stück suchen.I will look for a thicker piece.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thick” translations and entries dick, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
