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Questions & Answers about Das Glas ist heil.
What nuance does heil have here compared with words like ganz, intakt, unbeschädigt, and kaputt?
- heil: intact, not broken; often used for objects after a potential breakage. Neutral, everyday.
- ganz: can mean “whole/entire,” but colloquially also “not broken” (e.g., Die Vase ist noch ganz). This “intact” meaning is regional/colloquial.
- intakt: intact/functional; a bit more formal or technical.
- unbeschädigt / unversehrt: undamaged/unharmed; more formal/literary.
- Opposite: kaputt (broken, not working).
So Das Glas ist heil most directly says “the glass isn’t broken.”
Is heil the same as heilig?
No.
- heil = intact, unbroken, unhurt.
- heilig = holy, sacred.
Pronunciation differs: heil [haɪ̯l], heilig [ˈhaɪ̯lɪç]. Saying Das Glas ist heilig would mean “The glass is holy,” not “intact.”
Is the word heil politically sensitive in German?
As an adjective meaning “intact,” heil is neutral and common. However, using Heil! as a greeting or in Nazi slogans is illegal/offensive in German-speaking countries. Don’t use heil as a standalone exclamation. In your sentence it’s perfectly fine.
Why is it das Glas and not der or die?
Because Glas is neuter in German: das Glas.
Plural: die Gläser (note the Umlaut).
Examples:
- Singular: Das Glas ist heil.
- Plural: Die Gläser sind heil.
Why doesn’t heil get an ending here?
After forms of sein (to be), adjectives are predicative and stay uninflected: ist heil.
With attributive use (before a noun), you add endings:
- ein heiles Glas, das heile Glas, mit einem heilen Glas.
Predicative: Das Glas ist heil.
Can I say Das Glas ist ganz instead?
Often yes, and many natives do. But ganz primarily means “whole/entire,” so without context it can be ambiguous (whole as in “not broken” vs “entire”). heil focuses specifically on “not broken.”
How do I pronounce the sentence?
- Das [das]
- Glas [glaːs] (long a)
- ist [ɪst]
- heil [haɪ̯l] (like English “aisle” for the vowel).
Final s in Glas is an unvoiced [s].
Could das here mean “that” rather than “the”?
Yes. das can be the definite article (“the”) or a demonstrative (“that”). Context and stress decide:
- Neutral: “the glass”
- With pointing/stress: “that glass”
If you want to be explicit, use dieses Glas (“this glass”).
How do I say the opposite? Is nicht heil the same as kaputt?
- Das Glas ist nicht heil = not intact; it could be cracked or chipped.
- Das Glas ist kaputt = broken/out of order; usually stronger.
They overlap, but kaputt sounds more decisively broken.
Can heil be used for people?
Yes, in the sense of “unharmed”:
- Er blieb heil. (He remained unhurt.)
Common fixed phrase: heil und gesund (“safe and sound”): - Wir sind heil und gesund angekommen.
What’s the related verb—can I “heal” or “fix” something with it?
- Verb: heilen = to heal (wounds/people).
- For objects, you normally say reparieren (to repair).
Colloquial/child-directed: etwas wieder heil machen (“make it whole again”) = “fix it.”
Does das Glas refer to the material or a drinking glass?
It can mean either “glass (material)” or “a glass (drinking vessel).” Context decides. In everyday talk, Das Glas ist heil usually refers to the drinking glass not being broken.
How would I say this in the plural?
- Die Gläser sind heil.
Questions: Sind die Gläser heil?
Remember the plural: Gläser with Umlaut.
Where do adverbs go? For example, “still,” “almost,” “really”?
They typically go before the adjective:
- Das Glas ist noch heil. (still intact)
- Das Glas ist fast heil. (almost intact)
- Das Glas ist wirklich heil. (really intact)
With perfect: Es ist heil geblieben.
Should heil ever be capitalized here?
No, it’s a regular adjective, so lowercase: heil.
Capitalize only at the start of a sentence or when it’s a noun (das Heil = salvation/welfare), which is a different word.
Does heil have comparative/superlative forms?
Technically yes: heiler, am heilsten, but they’re rare and can sound odd. More natural alternatives:
- besser erhalten (better preserved)
- in besserem Zustand (in better condition)