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Questions & Answers about Der Unterschied ist spürbar.
What does spürbar mean exactly, and how is it different from merklich, bemerkbar, or sichtbar?
spürbar literally comes from the verb spüren (to feel, sense). It means noticeable, perceptible, palpable – something you can clearly sense, not necessarily with your hands, but in general.
Rough differences:
- spürbar – perceptible, you can sense it clearly (emotionally, physically, in results, etc.)
- Der Unterschied ist spürbar. – You can really tell there’s a difference.
- merklich – noticeable in a measurable or clear way; often used with changes, improvements, reductions.
- Die Preise sind merklich gestiegen. – Prices have noticeably risen.
- bemerkbar – capable of being noticed, often slightly more formal; similar to spürbar/merklich.
- Es ist kaum bemerkbar. – It’s hardly noticeable.
- sichtbar – literally visible (with your eyes), also figuratively.
- Der Unterschied ist sichtbar. – You can see the difference (with your eyes).
In Der Unterschied ist spürbar, the idea is that you can really sense or feel the difference (could be in performance, quality, atmosphere, etc.), not necessarily just see it.
Why is it Der Unterschied and not Den Unterschied or Dem Unterschied?