Machtig

Machtig is a Dutch adjective meaning powerful, mighty, or strong, and it can describe people, groups, objects, or concepts with considerable power or influence. In everyday use it often conveys a sense of impressiveness or grandeur, as in a “machtig leger” (a powerful army) or a “machtig verhaal” (a mighty tale). In addition to its literal sense, machtig is commonly used as an informal intensifier meaning very or greatly, especially in colloquial speech. Examples include “machtig mooi weer” (very beautiful weather) or “machtig spannend” (extremely exciting).

Etymology and related forms: Machtig derives from macht, meaning power or strength, with the suffix -ig forming adjectives. It is related to the German mächtig and the English word mighty, both tracing back to Proto-Germanic roots for power and strength. The word appears in Dutch from medieval times and remains widely understood in both the Netherlands and Flanders, though its tone can be slightly informal or emphatic in contemporary usage.

Usage notes: In standard writing, machtig is versatile but can shift from a literal description of strength to an idiomatic intensifier. Its comparative and superlative forms are rare in everyday speech; speakers more often rely on кой alternatives such as sterker (stronger) or machtigst per phrase or simply use the base adjective with context to convey emphasis. In modern contexts, machtig is common in media, literature, and casual conversation, and may appear with the same meaning in both Dutch-speaking regions.

See also: macht (power), machteloos (powerless), mächtig (German cognate).