Mächtig

Mächtig is a German adjective meaning powerful, mighty, or strong. It can describe physical strength, influence, or intensity, and is used both in the sense of “having a lot of power” and in figurative contexts such as a powerful effect or a strong person or institution. In informal speech, mächtig can also function as an intensifier, similar to very or really, as in mächtig gut or mächtig stolz, though this use is more colloquial and regional.

Etymology and forms: Mächtig derives from Middle High German machtig, from Macht, meaning power or might, with the suffix -ig. It is cognate with Dutch machtig and English mighty, both reflecting a common Germanic root related to power. The word forms in declension align with standard German adjective grammar: mächtige (feminine), mächtiger (comparative), mächtigsten (superlative). The plural noun form die Mächtigen refers to the group of powerful people collectively, such as political elites.

Usage notes: In modern German, mächtig is common in media and everyday language to describe authority, influence, or strength: a mächtige Familie, eine mächtige Organisation, or eine mächtige Rede. The noun phrase die Mächtigen is used to denote those who hold power, often with connotations of political or social clout. As an intensifier, mächtig can appear before adjectives or adverbs in colloquial speech, but more formal style typically uses sehr or äußerst.

See also: Macht, machtvoll, Machtpolitik. The term is closely tied to discussions of power and authority in German-language literature, history, and political discourse.