traurig
/ˈtʁaʊ̯.ʁɪç/
The English word "sad" is translated into German as traurig.
The adjective traurig is used to describe the feeling of sorrow.
Meaning: feeling sorrow (adj)
Which one should you use?
While traurig describes a general feeling of sadness, the word trauernd is used specifically for someone who is actively mourning a death.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express comparisons, use the comparative form trauriger for "sadder" and the superlative form am traurigsten for "the saddest".
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈtʁaʊ̯.ʁɪç/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The root of traurig originally meant 'bloody'. It evolved from a term describing physical injury and blood to describing the emotional state of sorrow.
Examples in context
- Es ist so traurig.It's so sad.This sentence is useful for expressing that a situation is sad using traurig.Tatoeba #10244941 by wolfgangth, translation #2249274 by CK
- Das ist so traurig.That's so sad.This sentence is useful for expressing that a specific thing is sad using traurig.Tatoeba #7459753 by Luiaard, translation #2251253 by CK
- Er sah traurig aus.He looked sad.This sentence is useful for describing someone's appearance as looking sad using traurig.Tatoeba #8860922 by wolfgangth, translation #8476971 by CH
- Ich bin sehr traurig.I am very sad.
- Es bedrückt mich sehr.It weighs heavily on me.
- Leider bin ich momentan in Trauer.Unfortunately, I am currently in mourning.
- Ich bin total traurig.I am totally sad.
- Das macht mich echt fertig.That really gets to me.
- 439 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are talking about a movie they just watched.
- SarahDer Film war sehr traurig.The movie was very sad.
- JulianJa, ich bin auch traurig.Yes, I am sad too.
- SarahWarum bist du so traurig?Why are you so sad?
- JulianDas Ende war einfach traurig.The ending was simply sad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sad” translations and entries traurig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries traurig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
