passionate
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passionate
Filled with strong feelings or great enthusiasm for a person or thing. It describes a person's quality or their devotion to an activity.
Sie ist eine leidenschaftliche Verfechterin der Menschenrechte.
She is a passionate advocate for human rights.
passionate
Carried out with great intensity and strong emotions.
Die beiden führten eine leidenschaftliche Debatte über das Thema.
The two had a passionate debate about the topic.
The word is formed from 'Leidenschaft' (passion) and the ending '-lich' (-ate/-al, forming adjectives). 'Leidenschaft' itself comes from 'leiden' (to suffer) and '-schaft' (-ship/-ness). To be 'leidenschaftlich' (passionate) therefore means to burn so strongly for something that one is willing to 'suffer' for it or give everything for it.
Er ist ein leidenschaftlicher Tierschützer und investiert seine ganze Freizeit.
He is a passionate animal rights activist and invests all his free time.
'Leidenschaftlich' (passionately) can also be used as an adverb to describe how an action is carried out—namely with great intensity and emotion. It then stands directly with the verb.
Die Politiker diskutierten stundenlang leidenschaftlich über das neue Gesetz.
The politicians passionately discussed the new law for hours.
When 'leidenschaftlich' (passionate) describes a person, it is often combined with a hobby or profession. Typical examples are 'ein leidenschaftlicher Koch' (a passionate cook), 'eine leidenschaftliche Gärtnerin' (a passionate gardener), or 'ein leidenschaftlicher Sammler' (a passionate collector).
Mein Opa ist ein leidenschaftlicher Briefmarkensammler.
My grandpa is a passionate stamp collector.
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“Heiß” can emphasize particularly sensual arousal in a romantic relationship. “Leidenschaftlich” describes strong feelings and deep devotion more generally. When sensual tension is the focus, “heiß” is appropriate; when there is a strong emotional bond, “leidenschaftlich” is more suitable.
Zwischen den beiden herrscht seit Wochen eine leidenschaftliche Verbundenheit.
There has been a passionate bond between the two for weeks.
Zwischen den beiden herrscht seit Wochen eine heiße Spannung.
There has been a sexually charged tension between the two for weeks.
