potent
Effective, powerful, or strong enough to produce a particular effect or accomplish a task.
EXAMPLE
Das Medikament ist sehr potent und wirkt schon nach wenigen Minuten.
The medication is very potent and takes effect after just a few minutes.
potent
potent – potenter – am potentesten
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Meanings
potent
sexually potent
Sexually capable and able to father children.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt bestätigte, dass der Mann potent ist.
The doctor confirmed that the man is potent.
potent
wealthy / powerful
Wealthy or economically influential; usually referring to a person or company.
EXAMPLE
Der potente Investor finanzierte mehrere große Bauprojekte.
The wealthy investor financed several major construction projects.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry potent, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | potent |
|---|---|
| comparative | potenter |
| superlative | am potentesten |
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 potent.
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 potent.
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 potent.
Usage tips
Context clue
The intended meaning can often be identified from the word it refers to: with a medication or active ingredient, it is about effectiveness; with a person in a medical context, it means sexual potency; and with an investor or company, it refers to economic strength.
EXAMPLE
Der potente Wirkstoff senkte den Blutdruck schnell.
The potent active ingredient lowered the blood pressure quickly.
Der Arzt besprach mit dem Patienten, ob er noch potent sei.
The doctor discussed with the patient whether he was still potent.
Ein potenter Investor übernahm die Finanzierung des Projekts.
A powerful investor took over financing for the project.
Typical collocations
In medical and pharmaceutical terminology, “potent” is often used with “Medikament” (medication), “Wirkstoff” (active ingredient), or “Mittel” (agent/remedy). In this context, it refers to a strong or particularly effective effect.
EXAMPLE
Schon eine kleine Dosis dieses potenten Medikaments kann starke Nebenwirkungen haben.
Even a small dose of this potent medication can cause severe side effects.
Medical context
The sexual meaning appears mainly in medical or factual euphemistic contexts. “Potent” is often used predicatively with “sein” (to be).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Behandlung stellte der Arzt fest, dass der Patient wieder potent war.
After the treatment, the doctor determined that the patient was potent again.
Economic collocations
In economic texts, “potent” is often used for people or organizations with substantial capital and influence, such as investors, companies, or corporations.
EXAMPLE
Das Start-up sucht einen potenten Investor für die internationale Expansion.
The start-up is looking for a wealthy investor for its international expansion.
In real life
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