jäh

• jähe (rare)

From Middle High German gǣhe, gāch, gā (“quick”), from Old High German gāhi (“sudden, quick, rash”), from Proto-Germanic *ganhuz, *ganhwuz (“sudden”). The modern onset j- is from a Central German dialect. Other dialects have brought forward forms such as gäh, gäch or gach (obsolete in standard usage), compare Bavarian gach. Cognate with Dutch gauw (“soon”). More at gay.

• IPA^(key): /jɛː/ (standard)
• IPA^(key): /jeː/ (northern and eastern Germany)

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

  (file)

• Homophone: je (nonstandard)

jäh (strong nominative masculine singular jäher, comparative jäher, superlative am jähsten or am jähesten)

1. abrupt, sudden

   Synonym: plötzlich

   Ein jäh hereinbrechendes Unwetter behinderte die Invasion der Gegner.

   (please add an English translation of this usage example)

2. steep, sheer

   Synonyms: steil, abschüssig

   Der Berg hat an seiner nördlichen Flanke einen jähen Abhang.

   (please add an English translation of this usage example)

3. precipitous, hasty

   Fälle keine jähen Urteile über deine Mitmenschen.

   (please add an English translation of this usage example)

• jählings

• jach

• “jäh” in Duden online
• “jäh” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache