märchenhaft
fairy-tale-like
Like something from a fairy tale: especially unusual, magical, or seeming not entirely real.
EXAMPLE
Der märchenhafte Garten lag hinter einem hohen Tor.
The fairy-tale-like garden lay behind a tall gate.
märchenhaft
fairy-tale-like
märchenhaft – märchenhafter – am märchenhaftesten
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
märchenhaft
fabulous
Exceptionally beautiful, happy, or successful; practically wonderful.
EXAMPLE
Nach Jahren harter Arbeit gelang ihr eine märchenhafte Karriere.
After years of hard work, she had a fabulous career.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry märchenhaft, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | märchenhaft |
|---|---|
| comparative | märchenhafter |
| superlative | am märchenhaftesten |
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 märchenhaft.
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 märchenhaft.
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 märchenhaft.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Märchenhaft' (fairy-tale-like) consists of 'Märchen' (fairy tale) and the ending '-haft'. The ending describes something that has the qualities or impression of a fairy tale.
EXAMPLE
Die märchenhafte Stimmung des Festes blieb allen Gästen im Gedächtnis.
The fairy-tale-like atmosphere of the celebration stayed in all the guests' memories.
Context clue
When 'märchenhaft' (fairy-tale-like) refers to a landscape, atmosphere, or appearance, it usually describes a magical, unreal-looking impression. When it refers to a career, success, or life, the word instead emphasizes extraordinary good fortune or unusual success.
EXAMPLE
Die märchenhafte Landschaft wirkte im Nebel beinahe unwirklich.
The fairy-tale-like landscape looked almost unreal in the fog.
Sein märchenhafter Aufstieg begann in einem kleinen Dorf.
His fairy-tale rise began in a small village.
Typical collocations
For the meaning of a magical or unreal-looking impression, 'märchenhaft' (fairy-tale-like) often appears with words such as 'Landschaft' (landscape), 'Kulisse' (setting), 'Atmosphäre' (atmosphere), 'Schloss' (castle), or 'Garten' (garden).
EXAMPLE
Die märchenhafte Kulisse am See beeindruckte sogar die erfahrenen Fotografen.
The fairy-tale-like setting by the lake impressed even the experienced photographers.
Success and happiness
To describe extraordinary good fortune or great success, 'märchenhaft' (fairy-tale-like) is often combined with words such as 'Erfolg' (success), 'Karriere' (career), 'Aufstieg' (rise), 'Reichtum' (wealth), or 'Hochzeit' (wedding).
EXAMPLE
Das Paar feierte eine märchenhafte Hochzeit auf einem alten Schloss.
The couple celebrated a fairy-tale wedding at an old castle.
In real life
Loading video examples...