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lind
mild / gentle
In a gentle, mild, and pleasant way. Often used for weather, wind, or also scents, and has a poetic or elevated connotation.
example
Ein linder Sommerwind wehte durch die Bäume.
A gentle summer wind blew through the trees.
lind
mild / gentle
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Register and style
'Lind' (mild/gentle) is an elevated and rather poetic word. It is rarely used in everyday colloquial speech.
EXAMPLE
Die Dichterin beschrieb den Frühling mit linden Worten.
The poet described spring with gentle words.
Typical collocations (nature)
In relation to the weather or nature, 'lind' (mild/gentle) is often combined with nouns such as 'Wind' (wind), 'Luft' (air), 'Abend' (evening), or 'Frühling' (spring).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem heißen Tag genossen wir die linde Abendluft.
After the hot day, we enjoyed the mild evening air.
Typical collocations (judgment)
When it is about a mild assessment, you find 'lind' (lenient/mild) in combinations such as 'lindes Urteil' (lenient verdict), 'linde Strafe' (lenient punishment), or 'linde Kritik' (mild criticism).
EXAMPLE
Angesichts der Umstände erhielt der Angeklagte eine linde Strafe.
Given the circumstances, the defendant received a lenient sentence.
Compare with
lind vs hart
hard
'hart' and 'lind' can be opposites when talking about judgments, punishments, or criticism. 'hart' means strict and uncompromising. 'lind' means mild and not strict. In everyday German today, however, 'lind' is rare and sounds elevated or poetic. More often, people simply say 'mild'. If you want to speak clearly and naturally, 'hart' fits many situations; 'lind' fits better in elevated texts or fixed, refined expressions.
lind
Der Richter zeigte sich lind und gab dem jungen Mann nur eine kleine Strafe.
The judge showed leniency and gave the young man only a small punishment.
hart
Das Urteil war hart, weil der Fahrer schon mehrmals zu schnell gefahren war.
The sentence was harsh because the driver had already been caught speeding several times.
In real life
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