schmächtig
slight
Having a rather thin, delicate, and not very sturdy build.
EXAMPLE
Der schmächtige Junge trug den schweren Rucksack ohne zu klagen.
The slight boy carried the heavy backpack without complaining.
schmächtig
slight / scrawny
schmächtig – schmächtiger – am schmächtigsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry schmächtig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | schmächtig |
|---|---|
| comparative | schmächtiger |
| superlative | am schmächtigsten |
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 schmächtig.
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 schmächtig.
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 schmächtig.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
'Schmächtig' (slight) is often used with words such as 'Körperbau' (build), 'Gestalt' (figure), or 'Figur' (figure). Expressions such as 'schmächtig gebaut' (slightly built) and 'eine schmächtige Gestalt' (a slight figure) are also common.
EXAMPLE
Trotz seines schmächtigen Körperbaus war er sehr ausdauernd.
Despite his slight build, he had a lot of stamina.
Describing appearance
'Schmächtig' (slight) is usually used to describe a person's visible build. The word can therefore be used with verbs such as 'wirken' (to seem) or 'aussehen' (to look).
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Foto wirkt der junge Mann schmächtig und etwas blass.
The young man looks slight and a little pale in the photo.
Context and connotation
'Schmächtig' (slight) is a descriptive word for a person's physical appearance, but depending on the situation, it can sound slightly derogatory. When describing someone personally, you should therefore consider the tone of the entire sentence.
EXAMPLE
Der schmächtige Schüler wurde wegen seines Aussehens oft unterschätzt.
The slight student was often underestimated because of his appearance.
In real life
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