behäbig
Translation
ponderous, sluggish, leisurely, portly
Examples
Der Bär bewegt sich behäbig.
The bear moves ponderously.
Er hat eine behäbige Art zu sprechen.
He has a leisurely way of speaking.
Das ist ein behäbiges, altes Haus.
That is a stout, old house.
Grammar Patterns
as an adverb: to move ((ponderously)). He walked ponderously across the room.
as an attributive adjective: a ponderous ((noun)). A ponderous gentleman sat on the bench.
Similar Words
Synonyms: träge (sluggish), langsam (slow); Antonyms: flink (nimble), schnell (fast)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'behagen' (to please, to suit). The meaning shifted to 'comfortable, leisurely,' and then to 'slow, ponderous.'
Memory Tips
Connect it to 'behaglich' (cozy). Imagine someone who is so comfortable and content that they move in a slow, leisurely manner.