01
konkret
specific
Specific, precise, and clearly formulated, as opposed to general or vague.
example
Ich brauche einen konkreten Vorschlag, nicht nur allgemeine Ideen.
I need a specific proposal, not just general ideas.
konkret
specific / concrete
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Meanings
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Usage tips
False friend
'Konkret' means 'specific' or 'tangible/concrete', but not the building material 'concrete'. The German word for the material is 'der Beton' (concrete).
EXAMPLE
Die neue Brücke wird aus Stahl und Beton gebaut.
The new bridge is being built from steel and concrete.
Adverbial use
'Konkret' is very often used as an adverb to make a statement more precise. It then often stands at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the verb.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen sparen. Konkret heißt das, wir kaufen dieses Jahr kein neues Auto.
We need to save money. Specifically, that means we are not buying a new car this year.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'specific', 'konkret' is often combined with nouns related to planning and communication, e.g. 'ein konkreter Plan' (a specific plan), 'ein konkretes Beispiel' (a specific example), or 'eine konkrete Zahl' (a specific figure/number).
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir ein konkretes Beispiel für dieses Problem nennen?
Can you give me a specific example of this problem?
Fixed expression
The request 'Werde bitte konkret!' (Please be specific!) or the expression 'konkret werden' (to get specific) means that someone should stop speaking generally and instead give exact details.
EXAMPLE
Du redest immer nur von Problemen, aber du wirst nie konkret.
You always talk only about problems, but you never get specific.
Compare with
konkret vs wirklich
really
'wirklich' and 'konkret' can both have to do with reality, but they ask about different things. 'wirklich' confirms that something is real or actually happened. It is also used for emphasis. 'konkret' means that something is specific, clear, and not just general; sometimes it also means something tangible rather than something abstract. Learners may confuse the words because both can stand in contrast to mere ideas. If you want to say that something is true or real, use 'wirklich'. If you mean specific details, examples, or a clear plan, use 'konkret'.
konkret
Vor dem Gespräch brauchen wir einen konkreten Vorschlag.
Before the meeting, we need a specific proposal.
wirklich
Ich glaube dir, aber ist das wirklich gestern passiert?
I believe you, but did that really happen yesterday?
In real life
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