01
anziehend
attractive
Attractive in a way that inspires sympathy, interest, or desire in others; charming or captivating.
example
Sie hat eine sehr anziehende Art, Geschichten zu erzählen.
She has a very attractive way of telling stories.
anziehend
attractive / attracting
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Anziehend' (attractive/attracting) is the present participle of the verb 'anziehen' (to attract/to put on). The literal meaning 'etwas an sich ziehen' (to pull something toward oneself) helps explain both meanings: the metaphorical attraction of people and the physical attraction of objects.
EXAMPLE
Ein starker Magnet kann Eisenteile anziehen.
A strong magnet can attract iron parts.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'attraktiv' (attractive), 'anziehend' (attractive) often describes people or their qualities. Typical combinations are 'eine anziehende Persönlichkeit' (an attractive personality), 'ein anziehendes Lächeln' (an attractive smile), or 'eine anziehende Ausstrahlung' (an attractive charisma/presence).
EXAMPLE
Er hat eine unglaublich anziehende Ausstrahlung.
He has an incredibly attractive presence.
Usage pattern
A very common construction is 'jemanden/etwas anziehend finden' (to find someone/something attractive). It expresses that a person finds another person or a thing attractive.
EXAMPLE
Ich finde seine ruhige und selbstbewusste Art sehr anziehend.
I find his calm and confident manner very attractive.
Context clue
This meaning is limited to the natural sciences, especially physics. Words such as 'Kraft' (force), 'Magnetfeld' (magnetic field), 'Gravitation' (gravity), or 'Masse' (mass) in the sentence are clear clues to this context.
EXAMPLE
Die Erde übt auf den Mond eine anziehende Kraft aus.
The Earth exerts an attracting force on the Moon.
Compare with
anziehend vs sexy
sexy
'sexy' and 'anziehend' can both mean that someone or something arouses interest, sympathy, or desire. 'sexy' is stronger, more direct, and often meant sexually; sometimes it is also used casually for modern or desirable things. 'anziehend' is more general and more neutral. It can describe a person, an idea, a voice, or a place that seems pleasant and interesting. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with attractiveness. If you do not clearly mean a sexual or very casual effect, 'anziehend' is often more appropriate.
anziehend
Für viele Reisende ist die ruhige Lage des kleinen Hotels sehr anziehend.
For many travelers, the quiet location of the small hotel is very attractive.
sexy
Heute wirkt das neue Motorrad im Schaufenster besonders sexy.
Today the new motorcycle in the shop window looks especially sexy.
In real life
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