gruselig
/ˈɡʁuːzəlɪç/
The English word "spooky" is translated into German as gruselig.
Gruselig is used to describe something that is eerie or suggestive of ghosts.
Meaning: eerie, suggestive of ghosts (adj)
Which one should you use?
While gruselig implies an eerie or unsettling feeling, the word beängstigend is a stronger term used for things that are genuinely frightening or causing fear.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective gruselig is invariable in its ending when it is used in a simple predicate position, such as in the sentence Es ist gruselig.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡʁuːzəlɪç/
Did you know?
- The word unheimlich comes from Heim, meaning 'home', literally suggesting something that feels 'not-home' or alien in a familiar place.
- The German gruselig shares an unexpected linguistic ancestor with the English word 'gruesome'. Both stems point back to an ancient root describing a shivering or shuddering sensation.
- If a German person tells you Das ist ja gruselig!, they might not be talking about ghosts at all, but rather an unsettling or weird social situation.
Examples in context
- Der Raum wirkt sehr dunkel und gruselig.The room seems awfully dark and spooky.This sentence is useful for describing how a room appears using gruselig.Tatoeba #10326355 by wannieh, translation #1507260 by marco87
- Die alten Ruinen wirken auf mich unheimlich.The old ruins seem spooky to me.
- Die Atmosphäre des Schlosses war gespenstisch.The atmosphere of the castle was spooky.
- Der Film war wirklich gruselig!The movie was really spooky!
- Der alte Wald sieht gruselig aus.The old forest looks spooky.
- Ich finde diesen Film gruselig.I find this movie spooky.
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are walking near an old, abandoned house.
- LukasDieses Haus ist wirklich gruselig.This house is really spooky.
- JuliaJa, ich traue mich nicht hinein.Yes, I don't dare to go inside.
- LukasSoll ich die Taschenlampe benutzen?Should I use the flashlight?
- JuliaBitte, Lukas, lass uns schnell gehen.Please, Lukas, let's go quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gruselig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gruselig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
