das  Positiv

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/poziˈtiːf/

🖼️ What exactly is a Positiv?

The German word das Positiv has two main meanings:

1. In photography/imaging: A Positiv is an image where the brightness and color values correspond to reality. It's the opposite of a Negativ (negative). When you make a print on photographic paper from a negative, you get a Positiv. 📸
2. In grammar: The Positiv (also called Grundstufe - base form) is the basic form of an adjective or adverb that expresses no comparison (e.g., schön - beautiful, schnell - fast). It's the base for the Komparativ (comparative degree, e.g., schöner - more beautiful) and the Superlativ (superlative degree, e.g., am schönsten - most beautiful). 📚

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declension of 'das Positiv'

The noun "Positiv" is neuter (sächlich) and is declined as follows:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Photography: Der Fotograf betrachtete das Positiv des entwickelten Bildes. (The photographer looked at the positive of the developed picture.)
2. Photography: Er erstellte mehrere Positive von demselben Negativ. (He created several positives from the same negative.)
3. Grammar: Das Wort "gut" ist das Positiv von "besser" und "am besten". (The word "good" is the positive degree of "better" and "best".)
4. Grammar: Im Wörterbuch steht neben dem Adjektiv oft auch das Positiv. (In the dictionary, the positive degree is often listed next to the adjective.)

✍️ How to use 'das Positiv'?

Usage depends heavily on the context:

• In photography and printing, "das Positiv" clearly refers to the final image with correct tonal values, whether it's a photo print, a slide, or a digital representation. One often speaks of developing a negative into a Positiv.
• In grammar and linguistics, "das Positiv" denotes the uncompared base form of adjectives and adverbs. It's used in textbooks, language learning, and linguistic analysis.

⚠️ Attention: The word "positiv" (lowercase) is primarily an adjective (e.g., "ein positives Ergebnis" - a positive result, "eine positive Einstellung" - a positive attitude). The noun "das Positiv" (capitalized) is used more specifically in the contexts mentioned above.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'das': Think of "das Bild" (the picture) or "das Foto" (the photo). A Positiv is a type of picture. Or think of "das neutral base word" in grammar – neuter like "das Wort" (the word).

For the meanings: Imagine looking at a photo (Positiv 📸) and saying, "Das ist schön!" ("That's beautiful!") - "schön" is the base form, so it's the grammatical Positiv (📚).

↔️ Opposites and Similarities: Synonyms & Antonyms

Potential for Confusion

The adjective "positiv" (e.g., eine positive Nachricht - a positive message) should not be confused with the noun "das Positiv", even though they share the same origin.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum war das Foto so selbstbewusst?
Weil es endlich sein Positiv erreicht hatte und nicht mehr so negativ war! 😉

(Why was the photo so confident?
Because it had finally reached its positive and wasn't so negative anymore!)

✍️ A Short Poem

Im Dunkeln verborgen, das Bild noch nicht klar,
dann kommt Licht ins Spiel, es wird wunderbar.
Aus Schatten und Umriss, verkehrt und fahl,
entsteht nun das Positiv, strahlend und real.
Auch Worte sind Stufen, ganz klar und rein,
die Grundform, das Positiv, muss die erste sein.

(Hidden in darkness, the image not yet clear,
then light comes into play, it becomes wonderful.
From shadow and outline, reversed and pale,
now emerges the positive, radiant and real.
Words too are steps, quite clear and pure,
the base form, the positive, must be the first, for sure.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin das Gegenteil von meinem dunklen Bruder in der Fotografie.
Und in der Sprache bin ich die Stufe, bevor es höher geht, siehst du?

Was bin ich?

(I am the opposite of my dark brother in photography.
And in language, I am the stage before things get higher, you see?

What am I?)

Solution: das Positiv

🌍 Origin and Other Info

The word "Positiv" derives from the Latin adjective positivus, meaning "placed", "determined", or "given". This is reflected in both meanings: the 'set' or final image in photography and the 'set' base form in grammar.