German edit

Alternative forms edit

  • dapfer (obsolete; predominant 15th to 17th c.)

Etymology edit

From Middle High German tapfer, from Old High German tapfar, from Proto-Germanic *dapraz.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈtapfər/, [ˈtäpfɐ], [ˈtäpɸɐ]
  • (file)

Adjective edit

tapfer (strong nominative masculine singular tapferer, comparative tapferer, superlative am tapfersten)

  1. brave, dauntless, hardy, tough (strong in the face of hardship, pain, danger)
    Synonyms: ausdauernd, beherzt, couragiert, entschlossen, furchtlos, hart, heldenhaft, heldenmütig, heroisch, kämpferisch, mannhaft, mutig, unerschrocken, wacker
    Antonyms: empfindlich, feige, memmenhaft, schwächlich, verweichlicht, wehleidig

Usage notes edit

  • Distinguish tapfer from mutig (courageous). The latter means the strength to endure danger, whereas tapfer is broader and means the strength to endure any kind of adverse circumstances.

Declension edit

Derived terms edit

Further reading edit

  • tapfer” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
  • tapfer” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon
  • tapfer” in Duden online