die Lebenskraft
vitality
The inner energy, vitality, and resilience that is inherent in a living being and keeps it alive.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Krankheit kehrte ihre Lebenskraft nur langsam zurück.
After the illness, her vitality returned only slowly.
die Lebenskraft
vitality
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound structure
The word is made up of 'Leben' (life) and 'Kraft' (strength/power), connected by an 's'. So it literally describes the 'Kraft des Lebens' (strength of life).
EXAMPLE
Trotz ihres hohen Alters ist sie noch voller Lebenskraft.
Despite her advanced age, she is still full of vitality.
Typical verbs
'Lebenskraft' (vitality) is often used with verbs that describe gaining or losing something. Typical combinations are 'Lebenskraft schöpfen' (to draw new vitality), 'Lebenskraft sammeln' (to gather vitality), or 'seine Lebenskraft verlieren' (to lose one's vitality).
EXAMPLE
In der Natur konnte er neue Lebenskraft schöpfen.
In nature, he was able to draw new vitality.
Register
The word 'Lebenskraft' (vitality) belongs more to an elevated or slightly poetic style of speech. It describes a deeper, fundamental energy, not just physical fitness.
EXAMPLE
Der Frühling weckt in allen Dingen eine neue Lebenskraft.
Spring awakens new vitality in all things.
Compare with
Lebenskraft vs Kraft
strength / force
Kraft and Lebenskraft can both refer to a person’s physical energy. Kraft generally means the available physical capacity, whereas Lebenskraft refers to the overall vitality and resilience of a living being. Kraft is suitable for a single activity; after an illness, the vitality that gradually returns can be called Lebenskraft.
Lebenskraft
Nach der Krankheit kehrte ihre Lebenskraft langsam zurück, und sie wurde wieder aktiver.
After her illness, her vitality slowly returned, and she became more active again.
Kraft
Nach der Krankheit hatte sie wieder genug Kraft, um kurze Spaziergänge zu machen.
After her illness, she had enough strength again to take short walks.
In real life
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