01
fest
solid
Having a hard, stable consistency; not liquid or gaseous.
example
Der Boden ist nach dem Frost wieder fest.
After the frost, the ground is firm again.
fest
firm / fixed
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Use as an adverb
The adjective 'fest' is also very often used as an adverb to intensify a verb. It then means 'strongly', 'firmly', or 'intensely'.
EXAMPLE
Sie drückte seine Hand ganz fest.
She squeezed his hand very tightly.
Word family
Words like 'befestigen' (to attach/fasten something), 'festhalten' (to hold on to something/not let go), or 'die Festung' (a stable fortified building/fortress) belong to the same word family and share the basic idea of stability.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte das Bild an der Wand befestigen?
Can you please attach the picture to the wall?
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'stable' or 'sturdy', 'fest' is often combined with things that provide support, e.g. 'fester Boden' (firm ground), 'festes Schuhwerk' (sturdy footwear), or 'ein fester Händedruck' (a firm handshake).
EXAMPLE
Für die Wanderung brauchst du festes Schuhwerk.
You need sturdy footwear for the hike.
Expressing commitment
In social and professional life, 'fest' expresses a binding, lasting relationship. Typical combinations are 'eine feste Stelle' (a permanent position), 'ein fester Termin' (a fixed appointment), or 'ein fester Freund / eine feste Freundin' (a steady boyfriend/girlfriend).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben noch keinen festen Plan für das Wochenende.
We don't have a fixed plan for the weekend yet.
Typical verbs
When 'fest' means 'with force', it often appears as an adverb with verbs like 'halten' (to hold), 'ziehen' (to pull), 'drücken' (to press/squeeze), or 'umarmen' (to hug).
EXAMPLE
Er umarmte seine Mutter ganz fest zum Abschied.
He hugged his mother very tightly when saying goodbye.
Fixed expression
The combination 'fest schlafen' (to sleep soundly) is a fixed expression and means that someone sleeps very deeply and well.
EXAMPLE
Trotz des Lärms hat das Kind die ganze Zeit fest geschlafen.
Despite the noise, the child slept soundly the whole time.
Expression of conviction
To express a strong, unshakable opinion, 'fest' is used in fixed expressions like 'fest davon überzeugt sein' (to be firmly convinced of it), 'fest daran glauben' (to firmly believe in it), or 'fest damit rechnen' (to fully expect it).
EXAMPLE
Sie rechnet fest damit, die Prüfung zu bestehen.
She fully expects to pass the exam.
Compare with
fest vs los
go / loose
'los' and 'fest' form a clear contrast when it comes to whether something is holding in place. Here, 'los' means that something is not properly attached or has come loose. 'fest' means that something sits stably, holds well, or is tightly connected. You use 'los' when a part wobbles or has come off. 'fest' fits when you want to say that something cannot easily be moved or loosened.
fest
Nach der Reparatur sitzt das Regal wieder fest an der Wand.
After the repair, the shelf is firmly attached to the wall again.
los
Die Schraube am Stuhl ist los und muss angezogen werden.
The screw on the chair is loose and needs to be tightened.
In real life
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