anormal
The English word abnormal is translated into German as abnormal or anormal.
Meaning: of or pertaining to behaviour that deviates from norms (adj)
Ways to say it
| German |
|---|
| anormal |
| abnormal |
The term is used to describe behaviour that deviates from norms.
Which one should you use?
The form anormal is much rarer and often carries a more technical or archaic connotation compared to abnormal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Bavarian region, people might use wuid to describe something abnormal.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun meaning 'something abnormal', the adjective is capitalized and takes the -es ending: Abnormales. When used as a standard adjective before a masculine or neuter noun in the accusative case, the word takes the -en ending, such as in einen abnormalen Zustand.
Did you know?
- In German, describing a person as abnormal can be significantly more offensive or stigmatizing than the English 'abnormal', often implying a permanent psychological defect.
- While English speakers use 'abnormal' for anything unusual, a German speaker might use unnormal to describe something that simply breaks a standard expectation without necessarily being 'wrong'.
- In German medical contexts, you are more likely to encounter the term pathologisch to describe an abnormal state than the word abnormal, which can sometimes sound too colloquial or vague.
Examples in context
- Es ist nichts Abnormales dabei, um die Vierzig noch ein Kind zu bekommen.There is nothing abnormal in having a child around forty.This sentence shows how to use the nominalized form Abnormales to mean something abnormal.Tatoeba #12553247 by Waldelfe, translation #390089 by Scott
- Wir sind abnormal.We are abnormal.This sentence uses the standard adjective abnormal.Tatoeba #12527215 by Tom9358, translation #12527216 by Tom9358
- Das ist irgendwie komisch, oder?That's kind of odd, isn't it?
- Das Verhalten des Hundes war anormal.The dog's behavior was abnormal.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a strange incident at a park.
- JuliaHast du das Verhalten der Leute gesehen?Did you see the behavior of the people?
- LukasJa, das wirkte ziemlich anormal.Yes, that seemed quite abnormal.
- JuliaIch habe mich in dieser Situation unwohl gefühlt.I felt uncomfortable in that situation.
- LukasIch kann dich verstehen, Julia.I can understand you, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “abnormal” translations and entries abnormal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
