wichtig
important
Being of great importance, relevance, or significance.
EXAMPLE
Es ist wichtig, dass du pünktlich zum Termin kommst.
It is important that you arrive on time for the appointment.
wichtig
important
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Meanings
sich wichtig machen
to act important
To show off or act as if one were more important or influential than one actually is.
EXAMPLE
Hör auf, dich hier so wichtig zu machen, du bist nicht der Chef.
Stop acting so important here; you're not the boss.
Usage tips
Typical sentence patterns
'Wichtig' is very often used in the impersonal constructions 'Es ist wichtig, dass…' (It is important that...) with a subordinate clause, or 'Es ist wichtig, … zu…' (It is important to...) with an infinitive, to express a necessity.
EXAMPLE
Es ist wichtig, die Anweisungen genau zu lesen.
It is important to read the instructions carefully.
Use with dative
To express for whom something is important, German uses the verb 'sein' (to be) with the dative. The person is in the dative, and the important thing is the subject.
EXAMPLE
Meine Familie ist mir sehr wichtig.
My family is very important to me.
Fixed expression: sich wichtig machen
The reflexive expression 'sich wichtig machen' (to act important) is a fixed idiom. It has a negative meaning and describes someone who shows off and presents themselves as more important than they are.
EXAMPLE
Er versucht immer, sich vor dem Chef wichtig zu machen.
He always tries to act important in front of the boss.
Compare with
wichtig vs groß
big / great
Groß and wichtig can both express a high level of significance. Groß sounds more evaluative and can also emphasize special quality or scope, whereas wichtig refers more specifically to relevance for something. Groß is therefore more suitable for personal appreciation, while wichtig is more suitable for a necessary decision.
wichtig
Ihre Hilfe bei der Rettung war für die Familie sehr wichtig.
Her help in the rescue was very important to the family.
groß
Ihre Hilfe bei der Rettung war für die Familie eine große Leistung.
Her help in the rescue was a great achievement for the family.
In real life
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