mürrisch
[ˈmʏʁɪʃ]
The English word 'grumpy' is translated into German as mürrisch.
The adjective describes a person who is dissatisfied and irritable.
Meaning: dissatisfied and irritable (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word Grantig is also used to describe someone who is grumpy or cantankerous.
Did you know?
- The concept of the Grantler describes a person who is professionally grumpy, often someone who complains about everything but is secretly liked by their community for their honesty.
- German has several words for grumpiness, but Grant is often used in the phrase einen Grant haben, which literally means to 'have a grump', treating the mood like a physical object one possesses.
- The adjective mürrisch is derived from the verb murren, which means to mumble or grumble under one's breath. It suggests that a grumpy person is not just unhappy, but is actively making low, complaining sounds.
Examples in context
- Markku war mürrisch gestimmt.Marcus was in a grumpy mood.This sentence shows how to use mürrisch to describe a person's mood.Tatoeba #2838684 by freddy1, translation #11055979 by sundown
- Wieso bist du heute so mürrisch?Why are you so grumpy today?This sentence shows how to ask someone why they are acting mürrisch.Tatoeba #4073006 by brunoalbinus, translation #11134750 by sundown
- Ich weiß, dass Tom mürrisch ist.I know that Tom is grumpy.This sentence shows how to use mürrisch to state that someone is being grumpy.Tatoeba #7464157 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6231113 by CK
- Gestern war er so gereizt, aber heute scheint er besser gelaunt zu sein.Yesterday, he was so irritable, but today he seems to be in a better mood.
- Der Miesepeter von nebenan beschwert sich immer über alles.The grump next door always complains about everything.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are having coffee in the morning.
- LauraWarum bist du so mürrisch?Why are you so grumpy?
- JulianIch habe einfach zu wenig geschlafen.I simply slept too little.
- LauraDer mürrische Julian ist heute echt anstrengend.Grumpy Julian is really exhausting today.
- JulianEs tut mir leid, Laura.I am sorry, Laura.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grumpy” translations and entries mürrisch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mürrisch, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
