bedächtig
deliberate
Calm, slow, and thoughtful; acting without haste and with visible caution.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Mann ging bedächtig über den glatten Weg.
The old man walked deliberately along the slippery path.
bedächtig
deliberate / measured
bedächtig – bedächtiger – am bedächtigsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry bedächtig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | bedächtig |
|---|---|
| comparative | bedächtiger |
| superlative | am bedächtigsten |
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 bedächtig.
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 bedächtig.
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 bedächtig.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
'Bedächtig' (deliberate) often occurs with verbs that express a calm and controlled action, such as 'gehen' (to walk), 'sprechen' (to speak), 'nicken' (to nod), or 'vorgehen' (to proceed). Combinations such as 'bedächtige Schritte' (deliberate steps) and 'bedächtige Bewegungen' (deliberate movements) are also common.
EXAMPLE
Sie nickte bedächtig und las den Brief noch einmal.
She nodded deliberately and read the letter once again.
Context clues
Signal words such as 'Schritte' (steps), 'Bewegungen' (movements), 'Stimme' (voice), or 'Vorgehen' (approach) often show what 'bedächtig' (deliberate) refers to. With movements, the word mainly describes the pace and caution; with an approach, it also suggests careful planning.
EXAMPLE
Mit bedächtigen Bewegungen stellte er die empfindliche Vase auf den Tisch.
With deliberate movements, he placed the delicate vase on the table.
Register and style
'Bedächtig' (deliberate) is especially common in descriptive narratives, reports, and character-focused texts. In these contexts, it creates a calm, observant tone and often describes the way a person acts or speaks.
EXAMPLE
Der Vorsitzende antwortete bedächtig auf die schwierige Frage.
The chairperson answered the difficult question deliberately.
In real life
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