conspicuousness / abnormality
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conspicuousness
The quality of being remarkable, unusual, or deviating from the norm and thereby attracting attention.
Die einzige Auffälligkeit bei der ärztlichen Untersuchung war ein leicht erhöhter Blutdruck.
The only abnormality during the medical examination was slightly elevated blood pressure.
abnormality
A concrete, notable peculiarity or unusual behavior. It is often used in the plural to point to several such features.
Der Lehrer sprach mit den Eltern über die Verhaltensauffälligkeiten ihres Kindes.
The teacher spoke with the parents about their child's behavioral abnormalities.
The word belongs to the family of 'auffallen' (to stand out / be noticeable). The adjective is 'auffällig' (noticeable, conspicuous). With the ending '-keit', it becomes a noun that describes a quality. This pattern is very common in German, e.g. 'Sauberkeit' (cleanliness), 'Ehrlichkeit' (honesty).
Sein seltsames Verhalten fiel sofort auf.
His strange behavior stood out immediately.
In the singular, 'die Auffälligkeit' usually describes a general, uncountable quality. In the plural ('die Auffälligkeiten'), it refers to concrete, countable features or behaviors that deviate from the norm.
Die Auffälligkeit seines neuen Mantels war nicht zu übersehen.
The conspicuousness of his new coat was impossible to overlook.
To express that everything is normal, the phrase 'keine Auffälligkeiten' (no abnormalities) or 'ohne besondere Auffälligkeiten' (without any particular abnormalities) is often used. This is typical in medical or technical reports.
Der Motor lief bei der Testfahrt ohne besondere Auffälligkeiten.
The engine ran during the test drive without any particular abnormalities.
In the meaning of a concrete peculiarity, the word is often combined with a specific area. 'Verhaltensauffälligkeiten' (behavioral abnormalities) is very common, but also 'Auffälligkeiten im System' (abnormalities in the system) or 'Auffälligkeiten im EKG' (abnormalities in the ECG).
Der Psychologe untersucht die Ursachen für die Verhaltensauffälligkeiten des Jungen.
The psychologist is investigating the causes of the boy's behavioral abnormalities.
special feature
Besonderheit and Auffälligkeit can both refer to an unusual feature. Besonderheit emphasizes its special or distinctive character and can be completely neutral. Auffälligkeit emphasizes that the feature stands out or deviates from the norm.
Eine Auffälligkeit des Mantels ist ein heller Fleck auf dem Ärmel.
One conspicuous feature of the coat is a light-colored spot on the sleeve.
Eine Besonderheit des Mantels ist die von Hand genähte Innentasche.
One special feature of the coat is its hand-sewn inside pocket.
