It’s what you call when things get tough—more help, more strength, more support. In German, that’s die Verstärkung. This is your German word of the day, and it’s the word you want when you need backup, whether in a fight, on a team, or at work.
The noun Verstärkung means reinforcement, backup, or amplification, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. You’ll hear it in police dramas, construction sites, military reports, and even everyday situations where someone’s overwhelmed and needs a hand.
It’s a feminine noun, so we say die Verstärkung (still stuck on article rules? Our super-useful video lesson makes gender finally make sense: https://deutschable.com/course/lesson-3-3/).
Pronunciation
Verstärkung is pronounced [fer-SHTAIR-koong].
Ver like “fair”,
stärk rhymes with “stairk” (like stark),
ung ends with a nasal “oong”,
Stress is on the second syllable: ver-STÄRK-ung
It sounds strong and solid—like the help it promises.
Example sentences:
Wir brauchen dringend Verstärkung.
We urgently need reinforcements.
Die Polizei rief nach Verstärkung.
The police called for backup.
Nuance and usage tips
Verstärkung refers to:
People – extra help or support
Militärische Verstärkung – military reinforcements
Verstärkung anfordern – to request backup
Technical strengthening – sound amplification or structural support
Verstärkung des Signals – signal amplification
Betonverstärkung – concrete reinforcement
Metaphorical – emotional or moral reinforcement
Ich brauche mentale Verstärkung! – I need mental backup!
You’ll hear it often in:
Emergency services
Work teams
Parenting
Music/audio tech (e.g. Verstärker = amplifier)
How does this word come up in real conversations?
Even beginners will hear Verstärkung in TV police shows or group settings:
“Ich schaffe das nicht allein – ich brauche Verstärkung!” – I can’t do this alone – I need backup!
“Hol bitte Verstärkung aus dem Lager.” – Get more help from the warehouse.
It’s also commonly used when someone’s being outnumbered, overwhelmed, or needs support—practical or emotional.
Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)
Timo: Die Kunden stehen Schlange!
Nora: Ich hole Verstärkung aus dem Büro.
Timo: Danke! Alleine schaffe ich das nicht.
Nora: Keine Sorge. Hilfe kommt!
Timo: The customers are lining up!
Nora: I’ll get backup from the office.
Timo: Thanks! I can’t handle this alone.
Nora: Don’t worry. Help is on the way!
Grammatical case examples:
Nominative:
Die Verstärkung ist unterwegs.
The reinforcement is on its way.
Accusative:
Wir brauchen die Verstärkung jetzt.
We need the backup now.
Dative:
Mit der Verstärkung war alles einfacher.
With the reinforcement, everything was easier.
Genitive:
Die Ankunft der Verstärkung veränderte alles.
The arrival of the backup changed everything.
Feminine case pattern: die, die, der, der
Word variations and language tidbits
Useful related terms:
Verstärker – amplifier (audio)
Verstärkungstruppen – reinforcement troops
Signalverstärkung – signal boost
Verstärkungsanfrage – request for support
In informal speech, it can also be used humorously:
“Bring Kaffee – und Verstärkung!” – Bring coffee—and backup!
📘 Duden entry: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Verstaerkung
🎥 Learn Verstärkung and the rest of the top 1000 German nouns in our free online video course: https://deutschable.com/nouns/
Ready for more German Words of the Day? You’ve got Untersuchung under control—but can you handle a Verbrecher when you see one?