verkörpert

Verkörpert is the past participle of the German verb verkörpern, meaning to embody or to personify. It is used to describe something that has taken on a tangible form or that represents a quality, role, or concept in a concrete way. As a participle, it appears in perfect tenses with haben (hat verkörpert) and can also function as an adjective (eine gut verkörperte Figur).

Etymology and sense: The term combines ver- with Körper (body), conveying the idea of giving body to something abstract. In this sense, verkörpern denotes more than mere illustration: it implies a faithful, often recognizable, embodiment or portrayal of an idea, character, or attribute.

Usage and grammar: In sentences, verkörpert can be used as a finite verb or as a modifier. Examples include: Der Schauspieler verkörpert den Helden überzeugend. Die Rolle wird überzeugend verkörpert. As an attributive adjective, it occurs in forms such as eine gut verkörperte Figur or ein verkörperter Charakter, with normal German adjective endings. In analysis, it is common to discuss how a character or spokesperson "verkörpert" a particular ideal or stance.

Related terms: Verleibung related concepts include Verkörperung (embodiment) and Personifizierung (personification). While they overlap, Verkörperung emphasizes the embodiment of a concept in a tangible form, whereas Personifizierung often highlights attributing human qualities to abstract ideas.

See also: Verkörperung, Personifizierung, Darstellung.