die  Kraft

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kʁaft/

multifaceted noun: What does 'die Kraft' mean? 🤔

The noun die Kraft (feminine) is a versatile word in German with several core meanings:

• Physical or mental strength/energy: This is the most common meaning. It describes the ability to do something physically or mentally. Example: Sie hat viel Kraft in den Armen (She has a lot of strength in her arms). Er hat die Kraft, weiterzumachen (He has the strength to continue).
• Power or influence: Can refer to political, social, or supernatural power. Example: Die Kraft der Worte (The power of words). Die magische Kraft eines Zauberspruchs (The magical power of a spell).
• Physical force: In the physics sense, the interaction that changes the state of motion of an object or deforms it (symbol F). Example: Die Gravitationskraft zieht alles nach unten (The force of gravity pulls everything down).
• Validity or effect (often legal): Describes when a law, regulation, or contract becomes or is effective. The phrase "in Kraft treten" (to come into effect) is very common here. Example: Das neue Gesetz tritt morgen in Kraft (The new law comes into effect tomorrow).
• Workforce/Staff: Can also refer to people who perform work. Example: Wir brauchen mehr Kräfte in der Produktion (We need more staff/workers in production). Eine qualifizierte Fachkraft (A qualified specialist/skilled worker).

🚨 Note: Although 'Kraft' has many meanings, the article is always 'die'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Insights: Declining Kraft

Die Kraft is a feminine noun. The plural is die Kräfte.

📝 Example Sentences

• Nominative: Die Kraft des Wassers ist enorm. (The power/force of the water is enormous.)
• Genitive: Trotz der Kraft des Motors kamen wir nicht voran. (Despite the power of the engine, we didn't make progress.)
• Dative: Mit letzter Kraft erreichte er das Ziel. (With his last strength, he reached the goal.)
• Accusative: Sie spürte die Kraft in sich wachsen. (She felt the strength growing within her.)
• Plural: Die verschiedenen Kräfte müssen gebündelt werden. (The different forces/powers must be combined/bundled.)
• Plural (Dative): Er dankte den Kräften für ihre Hilfe. (He thanked the staff/workers for their help.) - Note: Here 'Kräfte' refers to people.

💡 Putting 'Kraft' into Practice: When to Use It

Die Kraft is used in many contexts:

• Everyday language: Frequently for physical or mental strength. "Ich habe heute keine Kraft mehr." (I have no strength left today.) / "Das kostet viel Kraft." (That takes a lot of effort/strength.)
• Physics & Technology: As a clearly defined term for physical forces (e.g., Zentrifugalkraft - centrifugal force, Reibungskraft - frictional force).
• Law & Administration: In connection with laws and contracts (in Kraft treten - to come into effect, außer Kraft setzen - to repeal/invalidate). "Das Gesetz trat am 1. Januar in Kraft." (The law came into effect on January 1st.)
• Business & Work: As a term for employees or labour capacity (Arbeitskraft - workforce/labour, Fachkraft - specialist/skilled worker, Hilfskraft - assistant/auxiliary worker). "Wir stellen neue Kräfte ein." (We are hiring new staff.)
• Metaphorically/Abstractly: For influence, effect, or inner energy (die Kraft der Liebe - the power of love, die Kraft der Gewohnheit - the power of habit, die schöpferische Kraft - the creative power).

Comparison:

• Stärke vs. Kraft: 'Stärke' (die - strength) is often synonymous, but can emphasize the inherent quality more, while 'Kraft' can also mean the currently available energy or the applied power/effect.
• Macht vs. Kraft: 'Macht' (die - power, might) refers more strongly to authority and the ability to influence or control others, whereas 'Kraft' is broader and also includes physical or inner energy.

🧠 Memory Aids for 'die Kraft'

• Article Mnemonic: Many abstract German nouns ending in '-t' describing an effect or quality are feminine: die Macht (power), die Frucht (fruit), die Haft (liability/custody), die Schrift (writing/script), die Kraft. Imagine a strong woman (feminine!) performing a craft with great Kraft (strength/power). 'Craft' sounds a bit like 'Kraft'.
• Meaning Mnemonic: Think of a powerful machine or engine that needs fuel or energy to function – it needs Kraft. Or think of a law coming into effect ('in Kraft treten') – it starts to work, it now has power/Kraft.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for 'Kraft'

⚠️ Similar Words

• Der Kraftakt: A feat of strength, a strenuous effort.
• Kräftig (adjective): Strong, powerful, robust.
• Bekräftigen (verb): To affirm, confirm, reinforce.

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was ist die stärkste Kraft der Natur?"
Fritzchen: "Die Schwerkraft, Herr Lehrer! Ohne sie würden wir ja alle nach oben fallen!"
Lehrer: "Nicht ganz, aber gut gedacht!"
Fritzchen (flüstert zum Nachbarn): "Oder die Kraft meiner Mutter, wenn sie sagt 'Zimmer aufräumen!'"

Translation:
Teacher: "Fritzie, what is the strongest force (Kraft) in nature?"
Fritzie: "Gravity (Schwerkraft), teacher! Without it, we'd all fall upwards!"
Teacher: "Not quite, but nice try!"
Fritzie (whispers to his neighbor): "Or the power (Kraft) of my mother when she says 'Tidy your room!'"

📜 Poem about Kraft

Die Kraft, sie wohnt in dir so tief,
mal laut sie ruft, mal sanft sie schlief.
In Muskeln, Geist und auch im Wort,
treibt sie dich an, an jeden Ort.

Die Kraft des Windes, wild und frei,
die Kraft des Rechts, schafft Ordnung neu.
Die Kraft zu lieben, groß und rein,
sie lässt uns stärker, besser sein.

Translation:
The strength (Kraft), it dwells so deep in you,
Sometimes it calls loud, sometimes softly it slept through.
In muscles, mind, and also in the word,
It drives you on, to every place conferred.

The force (Kraft) of the wind, wild and free,
The force (Kraft) of law, creates order anew, you see.
The power (Kraft) to love, great and pure,
It makes us stronger, better, to endure.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich kann Berge versetzen, sagt man stolz,
bin nötig für Arbeit, ob Stein oder Holz.
Ich trete in Gesetzen in Geltung,
bin manchmal auch unsichtbar, eine Haltung.
Im Sportler, im Motor, im Wort – überall,
mal sichtbar, mal spürbar, im freien Fall.

Wer oder was bin ich?
(Who or what am I?)

Lösung/Solution: die Kraft (strength, power, force)

Translation of the riddle:
I can move mountains, it's proudly said,
I'm needed for work, whether stone or wood spread.
I come into effect within the laws,
Sometimes I'm invisible, an attitude, a cause.
In athletes, in engines, in words – everywhere found,
Sometimes visible, sometimes felt, in free fall bound.

✨ Interesting Facts about 'Kraft'

• Etymology: The word 'Kraft' comes from Old High German 'kraft', which originally meant "strength, power, force, ability". It's related to the English word 'craft', suggesting a common root linking ability and strength.
• Compounds: 'Kraft' is part of many compound words, showing its versatility: Kraftwerk (power plant), Kraftfahrer (driver, esp. professional/truck), Kraftstoff (fuel), Tatkraft (energy/drive/vigor), Willenskraft (willpower), Überzeugungskraft (persuasiveness), Lehrkraft (teacher), Fachkraft (skilled worker), Schwerkraft (gravity), Zugkraft (traction/pulling force), Saugkraft (suction power), Wasserkraft (hydropower), Windkraft (wind power), Atomkraft (nuclear power)...
• Idioms:
  • Aus eigener Kraft: By one's own efforts, without help.
  • Mit letzter Kraft: With one's last ounce of strength.
  • Jemandem Kraft geben: To give someone strength, to encourage someone.
  • In Kraft treten/sein: To come into effect / be in effect (law, rule).
  • Außer Kraft setzen: To repeal, invalidate, override.
  • Saft und Kraft haben (often negated): To have vigor and vitality (lit. juice and strength).