aggressiv
aggressive
Describes hostile, attack-oriented, or threatening behavior by a person or animal.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund reagiert auf Fremde sehr aggressiv.
The dog reacts very aggressively to strangers.
aggressiv
aggressive
aggressiv – aggressiver – am aggressivsten
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Meanings
aggressiv
aggressive
In a business context, the use of energetic and offensive methods to achieve a goal, for example in marketing or investments.
EXAMPLE
Mit einer aggressiven Preisstrategie will das Unternehmen Marktanteile gewinnen.
With an aggressive pricing strategy, the company wants to gain market share.
aggressiv
aggressive
In medicine, used to describe a disease that spreads quickly and severely, or a treatment that is very intensive.
EXAMPLE
Es handelt sich um eine besonders aggressive Form des Tumors.
It is a particularly aggressive form of tumor.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry aggressiv, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | aggressiv |
|---|---|
| comparative | aggressiver |
| superlative | am aggressivsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to aggressiv.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to aggressiv.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to aggressiv.
Usage tips
Use with 'gegenüber'
When you want to express who or what the aggressive behavior is directed toward, German uses the preposition 'gegenüber' with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Er verhält sich seinen Mitarbeitern gegenüber oft sehr aggressiv.
He often behaves very aggressively toward his employees.
Typical collocations
In connection with behavior, 'aggressiv' (aggressive) is often combined with nouns like 'Verhalten' (behavior), 'Tonfall' (tone of voice), or 'Stimmung' (mood). A typical verb is 'reagieren' (to react).
EXAMPLE
Bitte sprich in einem weniger aggressiven Ton mit mir.
Please speak to me in a less aggressive tone.
Manche Menschen reagieren aggressiv, wenn sie unter Druck stehen.
Some people react aggressively when they are under pressure.
Context: business
In a business context, 'aggressiv' (aggressive) often means 'energetic' or 'offensive' and does not have a negative meaning. It describes a strategy aimed at rapid growth or dominance.
EXAMPLE
Das Start-up verfolgt eine aggressive Marketingstrategie.
The start-up is pursuing an aggressive marketing strategy.
Der Fondsmanager ist für seine aggressive Anlagestrategie bekannt.
The fund manager is known for his aggressive investment strategy.
Context: medicine
In medicine, 'aggressiv' (aggressive) describes either a disease that develops very quickly or a treatment that is very intensive.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärzte entschieden sich für eine aggressive Chemotherapie.
The doctors decided on aggressive chemotherapy.
Es handelt sich um einen sehr aggressiven Virus.
It is a very aggressive virus.
Compare with
aggressiv vs intensiv
intensive
In medical treatment, both intensiv and aggressiv can express a very high level of treatment. Intensiv generally emphasizes strength and effort. Aggressiv is the medically established term here for a particularly intensive approach.
aggressiv
Die Ärzte behandeln den schnell wachsenden Tumor mit einer aggressiven Therapie.
The doctors are treating the fast-growing tumor with aggressive therapy.
intensiv
Die Ärzte behandeln den Patienten intensiv und überwachen ihn rund um die Uhr.
The doctors are treating the patient intensively and monitoring him around the clock.
In real life
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