normal
/nɔrˈmaːl/
The German word for "normal" is normal.
normal is an adjective used to describe things that follow a standard or expected pattern. If you want to describe something as "usual" in the sense of being commonplace or part of a routine, the word gewöhnlich is often a better fit.
Meaning: usual, ordinary (adj)
Which one should you use?
While normal refers to following a standard, gewöhnlich is more appropriate for describing things that are routine or commonplace. Additionally, the noun Normale is used in a mathematical context to refer to a line perpendicular to another.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, normal changes its ending based on the noun it describes. It takes the ending -e (as in normale) in the nominative singular for feminine nouns or in the plural. It takes the ending -en (as in normalen) in many other cases, such as the masculine accusative or the dative singular.
How do you pronounce it?
/nɔrˈmaːl/
Did you know?
- In German, calling a person normal can sometimes be perceived as a subtle insult, implying they are boring, unimaginative or lack a distinct personality.
- When Germans describe something as nicht normal, they are often using it as a euphemism for 'crazy' or 'insane' without using those specific words.
- In a social context, the phrase das ist ja völlig normal is often used as a comforting reassurance to tell someone that their strange experience is actually shared by others.
Examples in context
- Ja, das ist normal.Yes, that's normal.This sentence shows how to confirm that something is normal.Tatoeba #11662464 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2570881 by Hybrid
- Ihr Puls ist normal.Your pulse is normal.This sentence uses normal to describe a medical measurement.Tatoeba #1317781 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #70377 by CK
- Ich bin ganz normal.I'm perfectly normal.This sentence uses normal to describe a person's state of being.Tatoeba #6733944 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2248209 by CK
- Die gewöhnliche Wartezeit beträgt etwa zehn Minuten.The normal waiting time is around ten minutes.
- Normalerweise wird der Antrag innerhalb von zwei Wochen bearbeitet.Normally, the application is processed within two weeks.
- Das ist doch ganz normal, dass man so reagiert.It's quite normal to react that way.
- 193 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Sarah are discussing their daily routine at home.
- MaximilianIst das für dich ein normaler Tag?Is that a normal day for you?
- SarahJa, es ist ein ganz normaler Montag.Yes, it is a completely normal Monday.
- MaximilianDas klingt nach einem normalen Ablauf.That sounds like a normal routine.
- SarahGenau, alles ist ganz normal.Exactly, everything is quite normal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “normal” translations and entries normal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
