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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.