fähig

See also: -fähig

German

Variant of Middle High German gevæhic, from vāhen (“to catch”) (whence modern fangen). Thus originally “able to be comprehended”.

IPA^(key): /ˈfɛːɪç/ (standard; used naturally in western Germany and Switzerland)
Audio (file)
IPA^(key): /ˈfeːɪç/ (overall more common; particularly northern and eastern regions)
IPA^(key): /ˈfɛːɪk/ (common form in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland)
Audio (file)
Hyphenation: fä‧hig

fähig (strong nominative masculine singular fähiger, comparative fähiger, superlative am fähigsten)

(with zu) capable (having the general capability to)
Synonym: imstande

Der Angeklagte wäre zu so einer grausamen Tat nicht fähig.
The accused would not be capable of such a cruel act.
(with zu) able (currently in the position to; most often mentally)
Synonyms: in der Lage, imstande

Ich bin im Moment nicht fähig, mich mit solchen Dingen zu beschäftigen. (because of personal distress, for example)
I’m not currently able to occupy myself with such things.
- 1919, Walther Kabel, Irrende Seelen, Werner Dietsch Verlag, pages 118–119:
  Mein Hirn, überladen mit soviel Befürchtungen kaum mehr fähig, folgerichtig zu denken, fand keine Erklärung.
  My brain, overloaded with so many fears, hardly any longer able to think logically, found no explanation.
qualified; skilled; skilful
Synonyms: kompetent, qualifiziert, (rare) kapabel

Der König beauftragte die fähigsten Handwerker mit der Arbeit.
The king charged the most skilful artisans with the work.

In older usage, fähig was construed with a genitive object: Der Angeklagte wäre solch einer grausamen Tat nicht fähig. This now dated, but may still be encountered in elevated style.

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