01
wertvoll
valuable
Having a high material or financial value; expensive.
example
Sie trägt eine wertvolle Perlenkette, ein Erbstück ihrer Großmutter.
She is wearing a valuable pearl necklace, an heirloom from her grandmother.
wertvoll
valuable
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The adjective 'wertvoll' (valuable) is made up of the noun 'der Wert' (value) and the ending '-voll' (full of). So it literally means 'full of value'.
EXAMPLE
Diese alten Münzen sind sehr wertvoll.
These old coins are very valuable.
Context clue
The meaning depends on the noun. If 'wertvoll' refers to material things like jewelry or art, it means 'expensive'. If it refers to abstract things like advice, experience, or friendship, it means 'useful' or 'important'.
EXAMPLE
Das Museum stellt sehr wertvolle Gemälde aus.
The museum is exhibiting very valuable paintings.
Typical collocations
In its non-material meaning, 'wertvoll' is often combined with abstract nouns. Common examples are 'eine wertvolle Erfahrung' (a valuable experience), 'ein wertvoller Beitrag' (a valuable contribution), 'wertvolle Zeit' (valuable time), or 'ein wertvoller Mitarbeiter' (a valuable employee).
EXAMPLE
Die Zeit mit meiner Familie ist für mich sehr wertvoll.
The time with my family is very valuable to me.
Compare with
wertvoll vs lieb
nice / dear
'lieb' and 'wertvoll' overlap only in one special use: in the expression 'lieb und teuer' (dear and precious), 'lieb' means something like personally important or of high value. 'wertvoll' says this more directly and can mean both financial value and great significance. A ring can be valuable because it costs a lot of money, or because it reminds you of an important person. In this sense, 'lieb' is not used freely like 'wertvoll', but mainly in fixed or emotionally close expressions. For normal use, 'wertvoll' is therefore more precise.
wertvoll
Dein Rat war für mich sehr wertvoll, weil er mir bei der Entscheidung geholfen hat.
Your advice was very valuable to me because it helped me with the decision.
lieb
Das alte Foto meiner Großeltern ist mir lieb und teuer.
The old photo of my grandparents is dear and precious to me.
In real life
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