katastrophal
Translation
catastrophic, disastrous
Examples
Die Folgen des Erdbebens waren katastrophal.
The consequences of the earthquake were catastrophic.
Seine Leistung in der Prüfung war katastrophal.
His performance in the exam was disastrous.
Grammar Patterns
((adjective)) + ((noun)) catastrophic ... That was a catastrophic decision.
((sth.)) is catastrophic ... is catastrophic The situation is catastrophic.
Similar Words
verheerend (devastating), schrecklich (horrible); Antonyms: wunderbar (wonderful), ausgezeichnet (excellent)
Etymology
Formed from 'die Katastrophe' (catastrophe) and the suffix '-al'. The root is the Greek 'katastrophē', meaning 'an overturning'.
Memory Tips
It looks and sounds almost identical to its English counterpart, 'catastrophic'. Remember the German noun is 'die Katastrophe'.