All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| vernünftig | sensible; reasonable | judgment, behavior or an acceptable choice | adjective; vernünftiger, am vernünftigsten |
| sinnvoll | useful; sensible; meaningful | purpose, benefit or meaning | adjective; sinnvoller, am sinnvollsten |
vernünftig
Meaning and usage: Use vernünftig to describe someone acting with good judgment or an action that seems reasonable. It can also mean decent or adequate in informal descriptions, such as a reasonable price or a proper meal. Therefore, the word is not restricted to intelligence or logical argument. Tone matters: Sei vernünftig! can sound like a request to behave sensibly.
Grammar: As an adjective before a noun, it takes endings: ein vernünftiger Vorschlag. After sein or in adverbial use it has no adjective ending: Der Vorschlag ist vernünftig; vernünftig handeln. The comparative and superlative are vernünftiger and am vernünftigsten. Es ist vernünftig, … zu … introduces an action.
Es wäre vernünftig, vor der Fahrt eine Pause zu machen.
It would be sensible to take a break before the drive.
Wir suchen eine Wohnung zu einem vernünftigen Preis.
We are looking for an apartment at a reasonable price.
sinnvoll
Meaning and usage: Use sinnvoll for something that serves a purpose, works sensibly, or has meaning for someone. A sinnvoller Schritt may be practically useful; a sinnvolle Aufgabe may give someone a sense of purpose. In a sentence about wording, sinnvoll can also mean that the sentence makes sense. It does not always promise measurable efficiency.
Grammar: Adjective endings apply before nouns: eine sinnvolle Aufgabe. Predicative and adverbial forms are unchanged: Das ist sinnvoll; die Zeit sinnvoll nutzen. Compare sinnvoller and am sinnvollsten. In Es ist sinnvoll, täglich zu üben, the zu-infinitive states the action being evaluated.
Es ist sinnvoll, unbekannte Wörter im Kontext zu lernen.
It makes sense to learn unfamiliar words in context.
Sie möchte eine sinnvolle Aufgabe übernehmen.
She wants to take on a meaningful task.
Overlap and context
Eine vernünftige Lösung and eine sinnvolle Lösung can describe the same solution. Vernünftig often invites a judgment about reasonableness; sinnvoll often invites a judgment about purpose or value. Those emphases are not mutually exclusive, and different speakers may choose differently. For a person, Sie ist vernünftig is natural; Sie ist sinnvoll is not the usual way to say she is sensible. Her actions or contribution may nevertheless be sinnvoll.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate English sensible as sensibel; sensibel normally means sensitive.
- Do not insist that vernünftig describes only people; proposals, prices and choices can be vernünftig.
- Use inflected endings before nouns, but omit them after sein: eine sinnvolle Idee; die Idee ist sinnvoll.
Memory aid: Ask whether you are emphasizing good judgment or worthwhile purpose. Vernünftig foregrounds being reasonable; sinnvoll foregrounds making sense or having value, with plenty of overlap.
Try it
Which is the natural adjective for a person who acts sensibly: Sie ist sehr vernünftig/sinnvoll?
Show the answer
vernünftig
The sentence evaluates her judgment. Sinnvoll normally evaluates an action, arrangement or contribution, rather than a person in this bare construction.