träge

Träge is a German adjective and adverb meaning slow, sluggish, or lazy. It is used for people, animals, or objects that move or function with little energy or motivation, and it can describe both physical slowness and mental inertia. The term can carry a negative or neutral tone depending on context.

Etymology: The word traces back to older Germanic roots and is related to Trägheit (inertia, dullness) as well as to the verb tragen (to carry), in the sense of heaviness or burden. The form träge with umlaut appears in predicative and attributive use; as an adverb it is also possible, as in Er arbeitet träge.

Usage: In everyday speech, träge contrasts with synonyms such as langsam, schleppend, or müde when describing movement or reaction. Common collocations include eine träge Maschine, eine träge Reaktion, oder eine träge Haltung. In medical or psychological contexts one may encounter phrases like psychomotorisch träge or eine träge Reaktion.

Related terms and nuance: Trägheit is the noun for inertia or dullness. The adjective träge can describe someone’s behavior, a machine, or a reaction, emphasizing a lack of energy or promptness. Antonyms include aktiv, flink, munter, leistungsfähig.

Examples: Die Maschine läuft träge. Er wirkt heute träge. Eine träge Haltung kann den Fortschritt im Team hemmen.