01
sächsisch
Saxon
Relating to the German federal state of Saxony, its inhabitants, its culture, or its dialect.
example
Er spricht mit einem unverkennbar sächsischen Akzent.
He speaks with an unmistakably Saxon accent.
sächsisch
Saxon
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word formation with -isch
The adjective 'sächsisch' (Saxon) is formed from the name of the federal state 'Sachsen' (Saxony) with the ending '-isch'. This ending is often used to form adjectives from geographical names.
EXAMPLE
Der berühmte Komponist stammte aus einer sächsischen Stadt.
The famous composer came from a Saxon town.
Lowercase spelling
Adjectives derived from geographical names with the ending '-isch' are written in lowercase when they are used as normal adjectives.
EXAMPLE
Ich mag sächsischen Kuchen sehr gern.
I really like Saxon cake.
Typical collocations
In reference to the modern federal state, 'sächsisch' (Saxon) is often connected with culture, places, and language: der sächsische Dialekt (the Saxon dialect), die Sächsische Schweiz (Saxon Switzerland, a region), or die sächsische Küche (Saxon cuisine).
EXAMPLE
Wir machen Urlaub in der Sächsischen Schweiz.
We're going on vacation in Saxon Switzerland.
Context clue
The historical meaning can be recognized from the context. When Germanic tribes, the Middle Ages, or Anglo-Saxon history are being discussed, it refers to the ancient Saxons, not the modern federal state.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Museum lernen wir viel über die sächsischen Könige des Mittelalters.
In this museum, we learn a lot about the Saxon kings of the Middle Ages.
Compare with
sächsisch vs niedersächsisch
Lower Saxon
'sächsisch' and 'niedersächsisch' sound similar, but they usually refer to different regions. Today, 'sächsisch' mainly means the federal state of Saxony, its people, culture, or dialect. It can also refer historically to the old Saxons. 'Niedersächsisch' refers to Lower Saxony or to the dialect or accent there. The risk of confusion comes from the fact that both words contain 'sächsisch'. In everyday language, the important point is: Saxony and Lower Saxony are two different federal states. For Dresden or Leipzig, you say 'sächsisch'; for Hanover or Lower Saxony, you say 'niedersächsisch'.
sächsisch
Beim Einkaufen hat er sofort den sächsischen Dialekt der Verkäuferin erkannt.
While shopping, he immediately recognized the saleswoman's Saxon dialect.
niedersächsisch
In Hannover hört man manchmal einen niedersächsischen Akzent.
In Hanover, you sometimes hear a Lower Saxon accent.
In real life
Loading video examples...