intensiv

adjective
intensive, intense
B1

Intensiv is an adjective meaning 'intensive' or 'intense', used to describe strong effort, processes, or experiences. It’s gradable: comparative intensiver, superlative am intensivsten. Antonym: extensiv. Not a participle; normal adjective inflection in German applies for gender, case and number. No irregularities.

Examples

Da die Vorbereitung sehr intensiv war, bestanden die Teilnehmenden die Prüfung, obwohl die Aufgaben schwierig waren.
Since the preparation was very intensive, the participants passed the exam, although the tasks were difficult.
Das Licht war so intensiv, dass ich die Augen zusammenkneifen musste.
The light was so intense that I had to squint.
Der Sprachkurs ist sehr intensiv.
The language course is very intensive.

Details

GradableYes
Comparativeintensiver
Superlativeam intensivsten
ParticipleNo

Mnemonics

👁️a dial turned all the way to the red zone to show maximum intensity
👂sounds like "in tense" — imagine something turned up to a tense level

Notes

Commonly used both for courses (Intensivkurs) and to describe strong sensations (intense light, intense feeling).

Category

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