profound / abyssal
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profound
In a figurative sense: extremely strong, deep, and usually negative. Used to intensify feelings or qualities such as hatred, grief, stupidity, or disappointment.
Nach dem Verrat spürte er einen abgrundtiefen Hass.
After the betrayal, he felt a profound hatred.
The word is made up of 'der Abgrund' (abyss) and 'tief' (deep). It literally means 'as deep as an abyss' and is often used figuratively for very strong, usually negative feelings.
Sie empfand eine abgrundtiefe Enttäuschung.
She felt a profound disappointment.
You can recognize the literal meaning from nouns that describe a physical depth (e.g. gorge, sea). In all other cases, especially with feelings and abstract concepts, the figurative meaning is intended.
Sie blickten in die abgrundtiefe Schlucht.
They looked into the abyssal gorge.
'Abgrundtief' (profound) is almost always used to intensify strong, negative emotions or qualities. Typical combinations are: 'abgrundtiefer Hass' (profound hatred), 'abgrundtiefe Trauer' (profound grief), or 'abgrundtiefe Enttäuschung' (profound disappointment).
Sein Verrat hinterließ bei ihr ein abgrundtiefes Misstrauen.
His betrayal left her with profound mistrust.
'Abgrundtief' (profoundly) can also be used as an adverb to intensify a verb. In this case, it is not declined and describes the manner of an action.
Er hasste seinen Rivalen abgrundtief.
He hated his rival profoundly.
deep
'tief' and 'abgrundtief' can both describe great depth or very strong feelings. 'tief' is more neutral and normal in many situations. It can be literal, for example 'ein tiefer See' (a deep lake), or figurative, for example 'tiefe Trauer' (deep grief). 'abgrundtief' is much stronger and sounds more dramatic. Figuratively, it is mostly used for very negative feelings or qualities, for example 'abgrundtiefer Hass' (profound hatred) or 'abgrundtiefe Enttäuschung' (profound disappointment). The words can be confused because both can express 'very deep'. But 'abgrundtief' is not simply a normal 'tief'; it is a strong intensification.
Nach der Lüge war seine Enttäuschung abgrundtief.
After the lie, his disappointment was profound.
Für die Prüfung liest Anna einen tiefen Text über Geschichte.
For the exam, Anna reads a profound text about history.