wichtig

German

Etymology

From the same root as Gewicht (“weight”), thus pertaining to wiegen (“to weigh”). See also gewichtig, a (formal or elevated) synonym of wichtig. Weight is often used as a metaphor for importance; compare German schwerwiegend (“serious, grave”), as well as English weighty, heavy.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈvɪçtɪç/ (Northern Germany), IPA^(key): /ˈvɪʃtɪʃ/ (Sachsen, Rheinland), IPA^(key): /ˈviçtik/ (Southern Germany, Austria)

• audio (Austria):

  (file)

  IPA^(key): /ˈviçtik/

Adjective

wichtig (comparative wichtiger, superlative am wichtigsten)

1. important, relevant, significant

Antonyms

• unwichtig

Derived terms

• Wichtigkeit
• wichtigmachen
• wichtigtun

Further reading

• “wichtig” in Duden online