lebensnotwendig
vital
Absolutely necessary for life; without something essential for life, a person or animal cannot survive.
EXAMPLE
Wasser und Sauerstoff sind für Menschen lebensnotwendig.
Water and oxygen are vital for humans.
lebensnotwendig
vital
lebensnotwendig – lebensnotwendiger – am lebensnotwendigsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry lebensnotwendig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | lebensnotwendig |
|---|---|
| comparative | lebensnotwendiger |
| superlative | am lebensnotwendigsten |
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 lebensnotwendig.
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 lebensnotwendig.
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 lebensnotwendig.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Lebensnotwendig' (essential for life) is made up of 'Leben' (life), the linking element '-s-', and 'notwendig' (necessary). The compound makes it clear that something is absolutely needed for continued survival.
EXAMPLE
Für die Funktion des Körpers sind bestimmte Vitamine lebensnotwendig.
Certain vitamins are vital for the body to function.
Typical collocations
'Lebensnotwendig' (essential for life) often refers to substances, conditions, or measures. Typical collocations include 'lebensnotwendige Medikamente' (essential medications), 'lebensnotwendige Nährstoffe' (essential nutrients), and 'lebensnotwendige Behandlung' (life-saving treatment).
EXAMPLE
Das Krankenhaus sorgt dafür, dass die Patientin ihre lebensnotwendigen Medikamente erhält.
The hospital makes sure that the patient receives her essential medications.
Formal style
The adjective is used especially in medical, biological, and factual texts. There, it usually describes a basic requirement for the body or for survival.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärztin erklärte, warum eine ausreichende Flüssigkeitszufuhr lebensnotwendig ist.
The doctor explained why sufficient fluid intake is vital.
In real life
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