leidenschaftlich

Leidenschaftlich is a German adjective meaning "passionate" or "ardent." It describes intense emotion, strong enthusiasm, or deep commitment, and can modify nouns, verbs, or describe a person, as in eine leidenschaftliche Rede, leidenschaftlich arbeiten, or ein leidenschaftlicher Musiker. The related noun is Leidenschaft.

Etymology and sense: The word derives from the noun Leidenschaft (passion, ardor), which historically traces to a concept connected with suffering (Leid) and the suffix -schaft, evolving from a state of suffering to one of intense emotion or zeal. The suffix -lich forms the adjective, conveying "characterized by" or "having the quality of." In use, leidenschaftlich often carries a positive connotation of dedication, though it can also imply excess or fanaticism in a given context.

Usage and nuance: In contemporary German, leidenschaftlich frequently denotes energetic, wholehearted involvement. It is commonly used in positive contexts such as artistic or political commitment, sports, or personal relationships, for example leidenschaftliche Rede, leidenschaftlicher Einsatz, or leidenschaftliche Liebe. As an adverb, leidenschaftlich describes the manner of action: Sie singt leidenschaftlich. The term can be paired with synonyms like begeistert or enthusiastisch, but it carries a stronger emotional charge.

See also: The noun Leidenschaft denotes the underlying concept of passion, while leidenschaftslos means "passionless" or lacking enthusiasm. Related adjectives include enthusiastisch and euphorisch, which shade intensity and tone differently depending on context.