Gewichtige

Gewichtige is a German adjective meaning weighty, substantial, or important. It can describe something with physical heft as well as something with figurative gravity or significance. The term is commonly used in formal, literary, or journalistic language to convey that a matter or object carries considerable weight or consequence.

Typical uses include describing people, roles, arguments, or decisions. Examples: eine gewichtige Rolle (a weighty/important role), gewichtige Argumente (weighty arguments), eine gewichtige Entscheidung (a weighty decision). In these contexts gewichtige signals seriousness and gravitas beyond mere size or quantity.

Grammatical notes and inflection: gewichtige inflects like other German adjectives to agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. It is found in attributive position before a noun, and can appear in various inflected forms depending on sentence structure.

Distinctions: gewichtige differs from synonyms such as bedeutend, wesentlich, or gravierend in nuance. While bedeutend or wesentlich emphasize importance, gewichtige often stresses both significance and the sense of gravity or consequence. It is less about abstract importance and more about the level of impact or consequence implied.

See also: Gewicht (weight), Gewichtung (weighting), Bedeutend (significant), Wesentlich (essential).