bitter

adjective
bitter
A1

Meaning 'bitter' (taste) and figuratively 'harsh' or 'bitter' emotion. Gradable: comparative bitterer, superlative am bittersten. Antonym süß (sweet). Not irregular. Used attributively and predicatively; common collocations: bitter coffee, bitter disappointment. Often used in culinary contexts (bitter coffee, dark chocolate) and in emotional contexts (bitter disappointment, bitter end).

Examples

Der Kaffee schmeckte bitter, obwohl die Bohnen frisch geröstet worden waren.
The coffee tasted bitter, although the beans had been freshly roasted.
Der Kaffee ist zu bitter für mich.
The coffee is too bitter for me.

Details

GradableYes
Comparativebitterer
Superlativeam bittersten
ParticipleNo

Mnemonics

👁️Imagine biting something that tastes sharp and makes you wince
👂sounds like English 'bitter' — same word, same meaning
⚧️n/a

Notes

Used to describe taste and also figuratively (a bitter defeat).

Category

Vocabulary Explorer

Related Words

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