tiefer

Tiefer is the comparative form of the German adjective tief, meaning deeper or more profound. It expresses a greater degree of depth or intensity and can function as an attributive or predicative adjective, as well as an adverb in certain constructions. The comparative is formed by adding the suffix -er to tief, yielding tiefer. When used attributively, it inflects like other adjectives: ein tieferer See, eine tiefere Bedeutung. Predicatively, it agrees with the subject in gender and number: Der See ist tiefer; Die Tiefe war unerwartet groß.

In physical contexts, tiefer denotes greater depth, such as water, holes, or layers: Der Ozean wird tiefer, je weiter man hinausfährt. In figurativen uses, tiefer describes greater intensity or significance: tieferes Verständnis, tiefe Gefühle, eine tiefere Bedeutung. The word also appears in phrases that compare aspects or qualities: tiefer als erwartet, tiefer noch, je tiefer. It can be used with other comparatives and phrases to emphasize degree, for example in constructions like je tiefer, desto stärker.

As an adverb, tiefer modifies verbs or adjectives to express a more substantial degree of action or state: Wir müssen tiefer graben; Er blickte tiefer in die Materie. This adverbial use often corresponds to a more literal or metaphorical movement toward greater depth.

Tiefer thus covers both physical depth and metaphorical layers of meaning, maintaining a neutral, descriptive tone in German prose. It is part of a broader family of degree words built from tief and used to express comparison and emphasis.