harsch
harsh
Seeming hard, brusque, or unfriendly, especially in statements, tone, or behavior.
EXAMPLE
Seine harsch formulierte Kritik verletzte die Mitarbeiterin.
His harshly worded criticism hurt the employee.
harsch
harsh
harsch – harscher – am harschesten
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Meanings
harsch
crusty
Of snow: frozen on the surface, making it hard and granular.
EXAMPLE
Am Morgen war der Schnee harsch und schwer zu begehen.
In the morning, the snow was crusty and difficult to walk through.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry harsch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | harsch |
|---|---|
| comparative | harscher |
| superlative | am harschesten |
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 harsch.
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 harsch.
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 harsch.
Usage tips
Context clue
When used with statements, criticism, or behavior, „harsch“ (harsh) describes a human reaction or way of expressing something. When it appears with „Schnee“ (snow), „Schneedecke“ (snow cover), or similar weather terms, it refers to a hard, frozen surface.
EXAMPLE
Der Vorgesetzte reagierte harsch auf den Vorschlag.
The supervisor reacted harshly to the suggestion.
Wegen des harschen Schnees kamen die Wanderer nur langsam voran.
Because of the crusty snow, the hikers made slow progress.
Typical collocations
In the meaning related to statements and behavior, „harsch“ (harsh) often appears with „Kritik“ (criticism), „Ton“ (tone), „Worte“ (words), or „Reaktion“ (reaction). It particularly often describes a way of expressing something that seems hurtful or dismissive.
EXAMPLE
Die harschen Worte des Trainers sorgten für Unruhe in der Mannschaft.
The coach's harsh words caused unrest among the team.
Snow context
In the meaning related to snow, „harsch“ (crusty) is often used with words such as „Schneedecke“ (snow cover), „Oberfläche“ (surface), and „Schicht“ (layer). It refers to a firm, granular layer formed by freezing.
EXAMPLE
Unter der dünnen Pulverschicht lag eine harsche Schneedecke.
Under the thin layer of powder snow was a crusty snow cover.
In real life
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