Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| eigenartig | /ˈaɪ̯ɡn̩ˌʔaːɐ̯tɪç/ (standard) /ˈaɪ̯ɡn̩ˌʔaːɐ̯tɪk/ |
| merkwürdig | /ˈmɛʁkˌvʏʁdɪç/ /-ˌvʏʁdɪk/ |
| sonderbar | /ˈzɔndəʁˌbaːʁ/ /ˈsɔndəʁˌbaːʁ/ |
| seltsam | /ˈzɛltˌzaːm/ |
| bizarr | /biˈtsar/ |
All these terms describe something that deviates from the normal or is bizarre. For example, seltsam is a neutral way to describe something strange, while bizarr implies something is grotesque or highly distorted. If you want to describe someone as 'weird' in a way that suggests they are overly conventional, old-fashioned or boring instead, you should use spießig.
What does it mean word for word?
The word eigenartig is composed of eigen (own) and art (kind/type), literally meaning 'of its own kind'. The word merkwürdig is composed of merken (to notice/note) and würdig (worthy), literally meaning 'worthy of notice'.
Which one should you use?
seltsam is the most common and neutral way to express that something is strange or weird. In contrast, bizarr is a much stronger term used for things that are grotesque or highly distorted. If you want to say something is not quite right or suspicious, you can use the idiom Das ist nicht ganz koscher, which literally translates to 'That's not quite kosher'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaɪ̯ɡn̩ˌʔaːɐ̯tɪç/
Did you know?
- The German word for 'weird', seltsam, is a linguistic relative of the English word 'seldom'.
Examples in context
- Das ist so seltsam.This is so weird.This sentence demonstrates the use of seltsam to express that something is weird.Tatoeba #10254375 by wolfgangth, translation #1898094 by CK
- Ist das so seltsam?Is that so weird?This sentence is a question using seltsam to ask if something is weird.Tatoeba #10254625 by wolfgangth, translation #5817783 by OsoHombre
- Tom ist sehr seltsam.Tom is very weird.This sentence describes a person using the adjective seltsam.Tatoeba #8722354 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7733868 by CK
- Das ist merkwürdigThat's weird.
- Ein seltsames PhänomenA weird phenomenon
- Das ist eigenartigThat's peculiar.
- Das ist eine komische IdeeThat's a weird idea.
- Das ist kurios!That's bizarre!
- 110 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are looking at a strange piece of art in a gallery.
- JuliaFindest du dieses Bild nicht auch eigenartig?Don't you find this painting weird too?
- MaximilianJa, die Farben sind wirklich sehr eigenartig.Yes, the colors are really very weird.
- JuliaIch verstehe nicht, was es bedeuten soll.I don't understand what it's supposed to mean.
- MaximilianDas macht die Kunst doch gerade so spannend.That's exactly what makes the art so exciting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weird” translations and entries eigenartig, merkwürdig, sonderbar, seltsam, bizarr, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eigenartig, merkwürdig, seltsam, sonderbar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
