critical
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critical
Taking an examining, often negative or fault-finding attitude; expressing judgments or objections.
Die Presse berichtete sehr kritisch über die neue Regelung.
The press reported very critically on the new regulation.
'Kritisch' belongs to a word family with the noun 'die Kritik' (criticism/evaluation), the verb 'kritisieren' (to criticize/evaluate), and the person 'der Kritiker' (critic).
Der Film erhielt überwiegend positive Kritiken.
The film received mostly positive reviews.
'Kritisch' can be negatively evaluative (pointing out a weakness) or neutral-analytical (examining something objectively). In an academic or scientific context, the analytical meaning is usually intended.
Er äußerte sich sehr kritisch zu dem Vorschlag und lehnte ihn ab.
He was very critical of the proposal and rejected it.
In the meaning of 'gefährlich' (dangerous) or 'ernst' (serious), 'kritisch' is often combined with words like 'Zustand' (condition), 'Situation' (situation), or 'Lage' (situation). It describes a point at which the situation can quickly worsen.
Nach dem Unfall war die Verkehrslage in der Innenstadt mehrere Stunden lang kritisch.
After the accident, the traffic situation in the city center was critical for several hours.
When something is 'kritisch' (critical) for success, it means 'entscheidend' (decisive) or 'unerlässlich' (essential). Typical collocations are 'kritischer Faktor' (critical factor), 'kritischer Punkt' (critical point), or 'von kritischer Bedeutung' (of critical importance).
Die Kommunikation im Team ist ein kritischer Faktor für den Projekterfolg.
Communication within the team is a critical factor for the project's success.
serious
'ernst' and 'kritisch' can both describe a situation as difficult or dangerous. 'ernst' generally says that something is important or worrying. 'kritisch' is especially appropriate when a situation is at an important point and can quickly get worse, for example with a patient, a project, or a technical problem. But 'kritisch' can also mean that someone judges something in an examining or skeptical way; then it is not the same as 'ernst'. The words can be confused because both occur with problems and dangers. Remember: 'ernst' describes the severity, while 'kritisch' often describes the decisive situation or a critical view of it.
Nach dem Unfall war der Zustand des Fahrers einige Stunden lang kritisch.
After the accident, the driver's condition was critical for several hours.
Vor dem Termin macht die Ärztin ein ernstes Gesicht.
Before the appointment, the doctor has a serious expression on her face.