All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| konsequent | resolute; logically following through | behavior, decisions, methods | Adjective or adverbial adjective; konsequente |
| konsistent | coherent; stable; internally consistent | arguments, concepts, systems | Adjective or adverbial adjective; konsistente |
konsequent
Meaning and usage: Use konsequent when a person sticks to a decision or applies a principle steadily. It also describes logical follow-through, such as developing a model in a way that follows its starting assumptions. The word does not mean simply 'having consequences,' nor does it automatically praise the decision itself.
Grammar: An inflectable adjective: eine konsequente Entscheidung, ein konsequenter Mensch. After sein or when modifying an action, it remains unchanged: sie bleibt konsequent; sie handelt konsequent. No object case is required by the adjective itself.
Sie verfolgt ihr Ziel konsequent.
She pursues her goal consistently and resolutely.
Die neue Regel ist eine konsequente Weiterentwicklung des bisherigen Systems.
The new rule is a logical further development of the previous system.
konsistent
Meaning and usage: Use konsistent for something that hangs together in its construction or reasoning. It is particularly useful when evaluating whether an account, set of concepts or argument remains coherent. The adjective can also concern stable structure or material properties in specialist contexts.
Grammar: An inflectable adjective: konsistente Angaben. Predicative or adverbial use has no ending: die Angaben sind konsistent. If you compare it with another account, a mit phrase can supply that context, but the adjective does not require a direct object.
Die Aussagen sind in sich konsistent.
The statements are internally consistent.
Wir brauchen eine konsistente Erklärung für diese Ergebnisse.
We need a coherent explanation for these results.
Overlap and context
A logically developed argument may be both konsequent and konsistent. Konsequent can highlight following premises through; konsistent can highlight the resulting coherence. For sticking to a daily learning habit, konsequent is often more natural than the technical-sounding konsistent. That is a contextual preference, not a ban on using konsistent outside logic.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate every English 'consistent' mechanically as konsistent.
- Konsequent does not automatically mean correct, kind or desirable; someone can follow a poor plan resolutely.
- Konsistent describes coherence, not necessarily proof that the claim is true.
Memory aid: Konsequent follows through; konsistent holds together.
Try it
Which emphasizes disciplined follow-through: Sie übt jeden Morgen und bleibt dabei konsequent / konsistent?
Show the answer
konsequent
The sentence concerns sticking to a practice decision. Konsistent would shift attention toward stability or coherence.