Warum deine Altersvorsorge vor allem für Gesundheit ist

What does “funktionstüchtig” mean in German?

Talking about old age and money, he says health insurance will pay to keep him “noch funktionstüchtig” — still working, still functional. It’s the word you’d use for a machine that runs, and he uses it for his own body on purpose. The tone is dry and honest: insurance covers the bare minimum, the body that just about works. Everything beyond that — staying mobile, staying fit — he expects to pay for himself.

Spoken line: “dass ich noch funktionstüchtig bleibe” — “that I stay functional / still in working order.” The word comes from Funktion (function) and means capable of doing what it is supposed to do. It first describes machines and devices: a tool, a car, a heater that still does what it should. Used for people, it has a plain, slightly dry feel — the body works, nothing more promised. Examples: - Der alte Drucker ist noch funktionstüchtig. — The old printer still works fine. - Nach der Reha war sein Knie wieder funktionstüchtig. — After rehab his knee worked properly again. - Ich halte mich mit Sport funktionstüchtig. — I keep myself in working order with exercise. Note: for people it often means “good enough to function,” not “thriving” — which fits his point that insurance covers only the basics.