steinhart
rock-hard
Extremely hard, so that it can hardly be pressed, cut, or broken.
EXAMPLE
Der gefrorene Boden war steinhart.
The frozen ground was rock-hard.
steinhart
rock-hard
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Meanings
steinhart
unyielding
Insensitive, unyielding, or lacking compassion.
EXAMPLE
Sein steinhartes Urteil ließ keinen Raum für Gnade.
His unyielding judgment left no room for mercy.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry steinhart, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | steinhart |
|---|
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 steinhart.
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 steinhart.
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 steinhart.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Steinhart' (rock-hard) is made up of 'Stein' (stone) and 'hart' (hard). The first component intensifies the meaning: something is as hard as one imagines a stone to be.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Brotrinde war am nächsten Morgen steinhart.
The old bread crust was rock-hard the next morning.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'steinhart' (rock-hard) often describes frozen ground, bread, meat, or a surface. It is frequently used with things that one would normally press, cut, or chew.
EXAMPLE
Die Butter aus dem Kühlschrank ist steinhart.
The butter from the refrigerator is rock-hard.
Context clue
When used with people, judgments, or attitudes, 'steinhart' (rock-hard) is usually meant figuratively. Words related to feelings, decisions, or negotiations then show that it refers to being unyielding or lacking compassion.
EXAMPLE
Trotz seiner steinharten Haltung hörte er sich alle Argumente an.
Despite his unyielding attitude, he listened to all the arguments.
In real life
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