locker
relaxed
Relaxed, informal, and not formal in behavior or atmosphere.
EXAMPLE
Er hat eine sehr lockere Art und kommt mit jedem gut aus.
He has a very relaxed manner and gets along well with everyone.
locker
loose / relaxed
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Meanings
locker
loose
Not firmly in place, not tight or tense.
EXAMPLE
Die Schraube ist locker, du musst sie wieder festziehen.
The screw is loose; you need to tighten it again.
locker
easily
Colloquial for easy or effortlessly.
EXAMPLE
Die Matheaufgabe hat er locker in fünf Minuten gelöst.
He easily solved the math problem in five minutes.
locker
light / fluffy
Having an airy consistency that is not dense or firm.
EXAMPLE
Der Kuchen ist schön locker und saftig geworden.
The cake turned out nicely light and moist.
Usage tips
The core idea
The word 'locker' describes a state that is not firm, stiff, or tense. This idea appears in all meanings: with objects, in social situations, and also with tasks.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Massage fühlten sich meine Muskeln wieder ganz locker an.
After the massage, my muscles felt completely loose again.
Colloquial use
In colloquial speech, 'locker' (easily) is often used as an adverb in the sense of 'easy' or 'effortlessly'. It emphasizes that a task or action was handled without much effort.
EXAMPLE
Den Marathon schafft er dieses Jahr locker unter vier Stunden.
He'll easily manage the marathon in under four hours this year.
Typical collocations
In the sense of 'entspannt' (relaxed), 'locker' often describes people or the mood. Typical phrases are 'eine lockere Atmosphäre' (a relaxed atmosphere), 'ein lockeres Gespräch' (a casual conversation), or 'nimm es locker!' (take it easy!).
EXAMPLE
Auf der Party herrschte eine sehr lockere und freundliche Atmosphäre.
There was a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere at the party.
Typical collocations
When something is physically not tight or firm, 'locker' (loose) is the right word. Common combinations are 'eine lockere Schraube' (a loose screw), 'ein lockerer Zahn' (a loose tooth), or 'lockere Kleidung' (loose clothing).
EXAMPLE
Mein kleiner Bruder hat seinen ersten lockeren Zahn.
My little brother has his first loose tooth.
Describing consistency
To describe an airy and not firm consistency, 'locker' (light/fluffy/loose) is often used in cooking, baking, or gardening. Typical examples are 'lockerer Teig' (light/fluffy dough) or 'lockere Erde' (loose soil).
EXAMPLE
Für ein gutes Wachstum brauchen die Pflanzen lockere Erde.
For good growth, the plants need loose soil.
Compare with
locker vs weit
far / wide
Weit and locker can both describe clothing that is not tight. Weit emphasizes the cut or the amount of room, while locker describes how the garment sits on the body. Use weit for the shape and locker for the fit.
locker
Die Jacke sitzt an den Schultern locker.
The jacket fits loosely at the shoulders.
weit
Die Jacke ist an den Schultern weit geschnitten.
The jacket is cut wide at the shoulders.
In real life
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