Lyrischer

Lyrischer is the inflected form of the German adjective lyrisch, meaning lyrical. It describes language, style, or content that emphasizes emotion, imagination, and musicality, often associated with lyric poetry or songs. The term is commonly used to characterize a subjective, personal voice, vivid imagery, and musical rhythm in a text or performance.

Etymology traces lyrisch to the Greek word lyra via Latin lyricus. The concept of lyric poetry—poems performed with a lyre and focused on personal feeling—shaped the development of the term in European languages. In German literary discussion, lyrisch and its inflected forms appear in analyses of poetry, songs, and other expressive text.

Usage and scope include descriptions of both written and sung material. Lyrischer Stil or lyrische Sprache refer to a mode that foregrounds emotion, inner experience, and musical phrasing rather than narrative action or descriptive exposition. Common collocations include lyrischer Ton, lyrische Bildsprache, lyrischer Ausdruck, and lyrischer Ich, all highlighting the intimate, songlike quality of the material. The term can also describe music with a lyrical character, where melody and lyrics convey personal feeling.

Relation to related terms: lyrisch is the broader adjective; Lyrik denotes the field of lyric poetry; Lyrist or Lyriker refers to a poet who writes lyric poetry. Lyrischer is thus a descriptive label used in literary criticism, journalism, and academic contexts to signal the lyrical nature of a work.