Some words carry real weight — in history books, on the news, and in everyday life. Power in German is one of those words that pops up everywhere, from discussions about politics to personal control.

The German noun is die Macht. It’s feminine, and the plural is die Mächte, often used to describe political or supernatural forces. If you’re still finding your footing with gender and articles, my gender video lesson will help get you sorted quickly.

Macht is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and it’s often paired with strong verbs and deep ideas — making it well worth learning.

Examples in all four cases:

Nominative:
Die Macht liegt beim Volk.
The power lies with the people.

Accusative:
Ich fürchte die Macht des Geldes.
I fear the power of money.

Dative:
Mit der Macht kommt Verantwortung.
With power comes responsibility.

Genitive:
Die Geschichte der Macht ist lang und komplex.
The history of power is long and complex.

Where you’ll hear Macht:

• Staatsmacht – state power

• Machtmissbrauch – abuse of power

• Machtkampf – power struggle

• Großmacht / Supermacht – world power / superpower

• Die dunkle Macht – the dark side (yes, in Star Wars)

Common verbs: ausüben (exercise), verlieren (lose), erlangen (gain), haben (have), teilen (share), missbrauchen (abuse)
Adjectives: politisch, militärisch, wirtschaftlich (economic), absolute, dunkle

Cultural tip: Macht tends to sound formal or intense — it's more about power structures than physical strength. For strength or energy, you’d likely use Kraft instead.

Beginner dialogue using Macht:

A: Wer hat hier die Macht?
B: Meine Katze.
A: Who has the power here?
B: My cat.

Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Macht.

“Was ist eine Macht in deinem Leben — und warum?”
What is a power in your life — and why?

Even a short, thoughtful answer will help you connect emotionally to the word.

Duden entry for “Macht”

German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say power in German — and how die Macht captures control, influence, and historical drama all in one syllable.

Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and build up your expressive power.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Liebling — for a word full of affection and preference.
Or revisit Lehrer — and talk about the people who guide your learning.