sustainable / lasting
Loading your saved state.
sustainable
In a way that protects the environment and natural resources so that they are preserved for future generations.
Wir achten beim Einkauf auf nachhaltig produzierte Lebensmittel.
When shopping, we pay attention to sustainably produced food.
lasting
Leaving a long-lasting and profound effect or a lasting impression.
Dieses Erlebnis hat mich nachhaltig beeindruckt.
This experience made a lasting impression on me.
The word is made up of 'nach' (after) and 'halten' (to last/hold). The basic idea is that something 'still lasts afterward' or has an effect that continues for a long time. This connects the ecological meaning and the figurative meaning.
Die Entscheidung für den Umzug hat unser Leben nachhaltig verändert.
The decision to move changed our lives in a lasting way.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about the environment, resources, or the economy, the ecological meaning is intended. If it is about experiences, impressions, or changes, it refers to the figurative, long-lasting effect.
Viele Firmen werben mit nachhaltigen Verpackungen.
Many companies advertise sustainable packaging.
In an ecological context, 'nachhaltig' (sustainable) often appears with nouns such as 'Landwirtschaft' (agriculture), 'Energie' (energy), 'Tourismus' (tourism), or 'Konsum' (consumption). It is also frequently combined with verbs like 'leben' (to live) or 'produzieren' (to produce).
Nachhaltiger Tourismus versucht, die Natur zu schützen.
Sustainable tourism tries to protect nature.
In the meaning 'langanhaltend' (long-lasting), 'nachhaltig' (lasting) is very often used as an adverb to describe a verb. Typical verbs are 'beeinflussen' (to influence), 'verändern' (to change), 'prägen' (to shape), or 'stören' (to disturb).
Der Skandal hat den Ruf des Politikers nachhaltig geschädigt.
The scandal caused lasting damage to the politician's reputation.
green
Grün and nachhaltig can both describe environmentally conscious business practices. Grün is a broad term for an ecological orientation, while nachhaltig emphasizes that the environment and natural resources are protected in the long term. Use grün for general positioning and nachhaltig for long-term effects.
Das Unternehmen verwendet eine Verpackung, die Ressourcen für zukünftige Generationen nachhaltig schont.
The company uses packaging that sustainably conserves resources for future generations.
Das Unternehmen präsentiert sich mit seiner neuen Verpackung als grün.
With its new packaging, the company presents itself as green.
