How do you say Effect in German?

A medicine that kicks in, a movie that stays with you, a speech that moves the crowd - Germans call that impact a Wirkung. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or symbolic, if something produces a result, it has a Wirkung.

The noun Wirkung means effect, impact, influence, or result, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. You’ll hear it in science, medicine, marketing, and art - anywhere something causes something else to happen.

It’s a feminine noun, so we say die Wirkung.

Pronunciation

Wirkung is pronounced [ˈvɪʁkʊŋ], with short i and short u.

• The “W” is pronounced like an English “V.”
• The “i” is short, as in "fit"; the r varies by region.
• The ending “-kung” has a short u as in "put" and ng as in "sing," with no separate g sound.

The word has a deliberate, energetic sound - appropriate for something that produces a result.

Example sentences:

• Das Medikament zeigte sofortige Wirkung.The medication showed immediate effect.
• Die Rede hatte eine starke Wirkung auf das Publikum.The speech had a strong impact on the audience.

Nuance and usage tips

Wirkung can refer to:

• Medical/pharmaceutical effects:Nebenwirkungen - side effectsLangzeitwirkung - long-term effect
• Visual or emotional impact:eine beeindruckende Wirkung - an impressive effect
• Social or symbolic influence:Wirkung auf andere Menschen - impact on other people

It can be used with haben (“to have an effect”) or zeigen (“to show an effect”), and it’s often paired with adjectives like: