gruselig
/ˈɡʁuːzəlɪç/
The German word for 'chilling' (in the sense of causing mild fear) is gruselig. Wiktionary also lists unheimlich and grauenerregend.
Meaning: causing mild fear (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| gruselig | /ˈɡʁuːzəlɪç/ /ˈɡʁuːzəlɪk/ |
| unheimlich | /ˈʊnˌhaɪ̯m.lɪç/ /ˌʊnˈhaɪ̯m.lɪç/ |
| grauenerregend |
Note that these words describe a feeling of fear and should not be used to describe the act of relaxing.
Which one should you use?
grauenerregend is much stronger than gruselig and is used for things that are truly horrifying or cause actual dread.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an attributive adjective, it takes an adjective ending.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡʁuːzəlɪç/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use gruselig to mean 'relaxing'. If you want to say you are chilling or relaxing, use the German loanword chillen instead.
Did you know?
- In German, the word unheimlich can be used as an intensifier meaning 'extremely'. For example, unheimlich schnell means 'unheimlich fast' rather than 'chillingly fast'.
- The word unheimlich literally translates to 'unhomely'. It describes something that feels unsettling because it lacks the comfort of a familiar home environment.
- Sigmund Freud wrote a famous psychological essay titled Das Unheimliche, which explored how the 'chilling' feeling arises when something familiar is repressed and then returns.
Examples in context
- Nach einem langen Arbeitstag mag ich es, mich zuhause zu entspannen.After a long day at work, I like to chill/relax at home.
- Manchmal muss man einfach den Kopf freibekommen und abschalten.Sometimes you just need to clear your mind and chill out/relax.
- Lass uns einfach heute Abend zuhause chillen.Let's just chill at home tonight.
- Ich möchte wirklich nur entspannen und mich erholen.I just want to really/really relax and unwind.
- Ich habe den ganzen Tag gearbeitet, jetzt möchte ich einfach ganz entspannen.I've been working all day, now I just want to completely relax.
- Endlich kann ich in Ruhe abschalten.Finally, I can chill/relax in peace.
- Der alte Wald sieht gruselig aus.The old forest looks chilling.
- Die Geschichte war wirklich gruselig.The story was really chilling.
- Warum ist es hier so gruselig?Why is it so chilling here?
Example conversation
Two friends are walking through a dark park at night.
- SarahDieser dunkle Park ist sehr gruselig.This dark park is very chilling.
- JulianKeine Sorge, Sarah, ich bin bei dir.Don't worry, Sarah, I am with you.
- SarahAber die Schatten sind so gruselig.But the shadows are so chilling.
- JulianWir gehen jetzt schnell nach Hause.We are going home quickly now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chilling” translations and entries gruselig, unheimlich, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gruselig, unheimlich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
