ärgerlich
annoying
Describes a thing, circumstance, or event that causes annoyance, displeasure, or frustration.
EXAMPLE
Es ist wirklich ärgerlich, dass der Bus schon wieder zu spät kommt.
It's really annoying that the bus is late again.
ärgerlich
annoying / annoyed
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
ärgerlich
annoyed
Describes the emotional state of a person who is annoyed or dissatisfied.
EXAMPLE
Er war sichtlich ärgerlich über die Entscheidung seines Chefs.
He was visibly annoyed about his boss's decision.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'ärgerlich' (annoying/annoyed) belongs to the word family around 'der Ärger' (annoyance/trouble) and 'sich ärgern' (to get annoyed). All of these words describe the feeling of dissatisfaction or the cause of it.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte keinen Ärger mit den Nachbarn.
I don't want any trouble with the neighbors.
Context clue
The meaning of 'ärgerlich' (annoying/annoyed) depends on the subject of the sentence. If a person is the subject, it describes their feeling. If a thing or 'es' (it) is the subject, it describes an annoying situation.
EXAMPLE
Mein Kollege ist ärgerlich, weil sein Computer nicht funktioniert.
My colleague is annoyed because his computer isn't working.
Sentence structure
To describe an annoying situation, the impersonal structure 'Es ist ärgerlich, dass ...' (It is annoying that ...) or 'Es ist ärgerlich, wenn ...' (It is annoying when ...) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Es ist ärgerlich, dass ich meinen Schlüssel vergessen habe.
It's annoying that I forgot my key.
Correct preposition
When a person is annoyed, you use 'ärgerlich über' (annoyed about) for a thing or situation and 'ärgerlich auf' (annoyed with/at) for another person.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist ärgerlich über den Lärm.
She is annoyed about the noise.
Compare with
ärgerlich vs blöd
stupid / annoying
Blöd and ärgerlich can both be used to describe an unpleasant event. Blöd is a broad, informal reaction, while ärgerlich more precisely expresses that something causes annoyance or displeasure. Ärgerlich is more suitable when the annoyance caused is the main focus.
ärgerlich
Ärgerlich, dass der Bus trotz unserer Beschwerde schon wieder zu spät kommt.
It's frustrating that the bus is late again despite our complaint.
blöd
Blöd, dass der Bus schon wieder zu spät kommt.
It's annoying that the bus is late again.
In real life
Loading video examples...