bedürftig
needy
Dependent on material or financial help from others because of poverty.
EXAMPLE
Die Organisation verteilt Lebensmittel an bedürftige Menschen in der Stadt.
The organization distributes food to needy people in the city.
bedürftig
needy
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Meanings
bedürftig
in need of
Urgently needing or requiring something specific, for example care, rest, or an explanation. It is often used with a noun in the genitive or with a preposition.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Krankheit war er sehr pflegebedürftig.
After the long illness, he was very much in need of care.
Usage tips
Word family
'Bedürftig' (needy) belongs to the word family of 'das Bedürfnis' (the desire or need). A needy person therefore has a strong need for something, usually basic help.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Spaziergang war sein Bedürfnis nach einer Pause groß.
After the long walk, his need for a break was great.
Use as a noun
The adjective 'bedürftig' (needy) is very often used as a noun to refer to poor people. You then speak of 'den Bedürftigen' (the needy, plural) or 'einem Bedürftigen' (a needy person, masculine singular).
EXAMPLE
Die Organisation sammelt Spenden für Bedürftige.
The organization collects donations for the needy.
Compound adjectives
A very common use is the formation of compound adjectives. The thing that is needed comes before '-bedürftig' (-in need of), for example 'pflegebedürftig' (in need of care), 'hilfsbedürftig' (in need of help), or 'reparaturbedürftig' (in need of repair).
EXAMPLE
Das alte Fahrrad ist dringend reparaturbedürftig.
The old bicycle is urgently in need of repair.
Construction with genitive
In more formal or elevated language, 'bedürftig' (in need of) can be used with a noun in the genitive. This construction expresses what someone or something needs and often sounds somewhat old-fashioned.
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte war einer rechtlichen Beratung bedürftig.
The defendant was in need of legal advice.
Compare with
bedürftig vs arm
poor
„Arm“ and „bedürftig“ can both describe a person with little money. „Arm“ refers mainly to limited material resources, while „bedürftig“ also emphasizes that the person therefore depends on help. Choose „arm“ for the situation itself and „bedürftig“ when the need for help is the focus.
bedürftig
Die bedürftige Familie erhält Unterstützung für die Reparatur.
The needy family is receiving support for the repairs.
arm
Die Familie ist arm und kann sich die Reparatur kaum leisten.
The family is poor and can barely afford the repairs.
In real life
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