schwerer

Schwerer is the comparative form of the German adjective schwer. It is used to indicate that one thing has more weight, is more difficult, or is more serious than another. In addition to physical heaviness, schwerer commonly describes tasks, situations, or conditions that require more effort or carry greater consequences, such as heavier burdens, more challenging problems, or more serious injuries or decisions.

Grammatical use and declension

Schwerer functions as an attributive adjective and declines according to gender, number, and the presence of articles. With a definite article or a der-word, the comparative takes forms like der schwerere Mann (masculine nominative), die schwerere Frau (feminine nominative), das schwerere Kind (neuter nominative). With an indefinite article, ein schwererer Mann is used. When no article is present, strong declension applies: schwerer Stein (masculine nominative), schwere Frau (feminine nominative), schweres Buch (neuter nominative), schwere Steine (plural nominative). In comparisons, the construction uses als: größer als, schwerer als.

Semantics and usage

Schwerer can denote physical weight, but it is also common in contexts of difficulty, effort, severity, or consequence. Phrases include eine schwere Aufgabe (a difficult task), eine schwere Entscheidung (a difficult decision), schwere Verletzungen (serious injuries), and eine schwere Last (a heavy burden). Verbs can influence its meaning: etwas fällt schwer (something is difficult to do); etwas wird schwerer (something becomes heavier or more difficult).

Etymology and related terms

Schwer derives from the Germanic vocabulary for weight and burden. It is cognate with related forms in other West Germanic languages, such as Dutch zwaar. The related adjective schwierig denotes difficulty in a more abstract sense.

See also

schwer (heavy), schwieriger (more difficult).