schwächer

Schwächer is the comparative form of the German adjective schwach, meaning weaker or less strong. It is used to compare the strength, intensity, or degree of two or more items, spanning physical power, performance, or abstract measures such as signals or demand. In everyday language, schwächer marks a lower level relative to another subject: for example, a person can be schwächer sehen als zuvor, or a device can perform schwächer in certain conditions.

Etymology and related forms: Schwächer derives from schwach and follows the standard German pattern for comparatives, using the suffix -er. The adjective’s superlative form is am schwächsten. Related words include schwäche (weakness) and schwächlich (frail), while the noun form Schwäche denotes weakness itself.

Usage and grammar: Schwächer functions as a typical attributive or predicative adjective. In attributive position with a definite article, it takes the expected endings: der schwächere Mann (masculine nominative singular), die schwächeren Gegner (plural). With a predicative complement after sein, it appears as schwächer: Der Mann ist schwächer geworden. In comparisons it is used with als: schwächer als erwartet.

Examples:

- Der neue Akku ist schwächer als der alte.

- Ein schwächerer Gegner ist oft leichter zu besiegen.

- Die schwächeren Gegner verloren meng der Zeit.

See also: Schwäche, schwach, Stärke, Stärke/Schwäche-Dualismus. In scientific or economic contexts schwächer can describe diminishing forces, weaker demand, or reduced strength of a phenomenon.