lebhaft
[ˈleːphaft]
The English word 'vivid' is translated into German as lebhaft.
The adjective is used to describe things that are bright, intense or colourful.
Meaning: bright, intense or colourful (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word lebhaft is derived from the noun Leben (life), and literally means 'full of life' or 'lively'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form lebhafte is used when the adjective precedes a feminine noun in the nominative or accusative case. The form lebhaften is used for masculine singular nouns in the accusative case (with an article) or for any gender in the dative case.
Did you know?
- When describing a 'vivid' color in a way that means 'bright', Germans often prefer the word knallig, which is an onomatopoeic term suggesting a loud bang or 'pop'.
- If a child is being particularly restless or rowdy, a German parent might use lebhaft as a polite euphemism to avoid saying the child is 'unruhig' or 'wild'.
- Because lebhaft literally means 'full of life', it is used to describe bustling city streets or markets, a use of 'vivid' that would sound poetic or unusual in English.
Examples in context
- Er hat eine lebhafte Phantasie.He has a vivid imagination.The first sentence shows how to use lebhaft to describe someone having a vivid imagination.Tatoeba #1684279 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1663937 by Spamster
- Ich habe eine lebhafte Phantasie.I have a vivid imagination.The second sentence shows how to use lebhaft to express that you have a vivid imagination.Tatoeba #1687862 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1663935 by Spamster
- Der Unfall ist ihm noch lebhaft im Gedächtnis.The accident is still vivid in his memory.The third sentence demonstrates using lebhaft to describe an accident that remains vivid in a person's memory.Tatoeba #1832970 by Zaghawa, translation #47114 by CM
- Das Gemälde ist lebhaftThe painting is vivid
- Sie hat eine deutliche Erinnerung an den VorfallShe has a vivid memory of the incident
- Die Sonnenuntergänge in dieser Region sind intensivThe sunsets in this region are vivid
- Der Markt ist farbenfroh und voller LebenThe market is vibrant and vivid
- Ich liebe ihre knalligen OutfitsI love her vivid outfits
- Seine Schilderungen waren deutlich und ließen mich die Situation fast physisch spüren.His descriptions were vivid and made me feel the situation almost physically
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Felix are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- LauraDie Farben an diesem Bild sind so lebhaft!The colors on this painting are so vivid!
- FelixJa, sie wirken wirklich sehr intensiv.Yes, they seem really intense.
- LauraIch liebe diesen lebhaften Stil des Künstlers.I love the artist's vivid style.
- FelixDas glaube ich, es ist ein tolles Werk.I believe so, it is a great work.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lebhaft, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
