Schnelligkeit

German

Etymology

From Middle High German snellecheit, an extended form of Middle and Old High German snelheit. Equivalent to schnell +‎ -igkeit. The simpler form Schnellheit is now substandard, but may still be heard (chiefly as an ad-hoc formation); compare Dutch snelheid.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈʃnɛlɪçˌkaɪ̯t/
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Schnelligkeit f (genitive Schnelligkeit, plural Schnelligkeiten)

  1. speed, velocity, rapidness, quickness (state/degree of moving or proceeding fast)
    Synonym: Geschwindigkeit
    Die Schnelligkeit der Lieferung hat mich überrascht.
    The quickness of the delivery surprised me.
  2. (sports) speed, the ability to move, especially run, fast
    Er muss noch an seiner Schnelligkeit arbeiten.
    He has to work on his top speed.

Usage notes
  • Schnelligkeit tends to imply high speed while Geschwindigkeit is the more general word for any speed. Nevertheless one can also say geringe Schnelligkeit (“low speed”) or the like. In the sport context, Schnelligkeit is preferred (even if the person happens to be quite slow).

Declension
Declension of Schnelligkeit [feminine]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative eine die Schnelligkeit die Schnelligkeiten
genitive einer der Schnelligkeit der Schnelligkeiten
dative einer der Schnelligkeit den Schnelligkeiten
accusative eine die Schnelligkeit die Schnelligkeiten

Further reading
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