Substanzieller

Substanzieller is an adjective in German that describes something as having substance, depth, or practical significance. It can refer to tangible matter as well as to abstract ideas, arguments, or contributions that are well-founded and meaningful. In everyday language it is often used to express that something is more than superficial or cosmetic, and that it carries weight in content or impact. Common usages include phrases like substanzieller Beitrag, substanzieller Nachweis or substanzieller Wandel.

Etymology and related terms: The word derives from Substanz (substance) with the attributive suffix -ell, yielding substanziell, with substanzieller as the masculine nominative singular form in attributive position. It is related to the noun Substanz and to the English cognate substantial. The sense overlaps with wesentlich but emphasizes content, evidence, or material robustness rather than merely essential importance.

Usage notes: Substanziell expresses durability of content or impact and is typically applied to arguments, evidence, plans, or changes. It can convey contrast with superficial or cosmetic elements. In scientific or statistical contexts, it is not a direct synonym for signifikant; for statistical significance one should use terms like signifikant or Signifikanz, whereas substanziell refers to practical significance or substantive effect in a broader sense. In business and politics, it frequently appears in phrases such as substanzieller Beitrag or substanzieller Einfluss.

Examples: Der Bericht liefert substanziellen Beleg für eine Verbesserung. Der Plan erfüllt substanziellere Anforderungen als der ursprüngliche Entwurf. Der Vorschlag wurde aufgrund seiner substanziellen Inhalte begrüßt.

See also: Substanz, substanziell, wesentliche Auswirkungen, signifikant.