outsider / underdog
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outsider
A person who is on the margins of a group or society and is not fully integrated. This person is often perceived as different or unfamiliar.
In der neuen Klasse fühlte er sich anfangs wie ein Außenseiter.
In the new class, he initially felt like an outsider.
The word is very vividly composed of 'außen' (outside) and 'Seite' (side). An 'Außenseiter' (outsider) is therefore literally a person who stands on the outside of a group or system.
Er war in der Schule immer ein kleiner Außenseiter.
He was always a bit of an outsider at school.
In social contexts, 'Außenseiter' (outsider) is often used with verbs of feeling or being, for example 'sich als Außenseiter fühlen' (to feel like an outsider) or 'ein Außenseiter sein' (to be an outsider).
Nach ihrem Umzug fühlte sie sich lange als Außenseiterin in der neuen Stadt.
After her move, she felt like an outsider in the new city for a long time.
The meaning as a participant with little chance of winning is used almost exclusively in the context of competitions such as sports, elections, or award ceremonies.
Obwohl die Mannschaft als Außenseiter galt, hat sie das Turnier gewonnen.
Although the team was considered the underdog, it won the tournament.
favorite
'der Favorit' and 'der Außenseiter' are opposites in a competition. The 'Favorit' is considered by many to have a good chance of winning. The 'Außenseiter' has rather low chances and is not expected to be the winner. The words can be confused because both talk about the position of a person or team before a competition. The direction is important: the favorite is high in people's expectations, while the underdog is more toward the bottom. 'Außenseiter' can also mean a person who does not really belong to a group; this meaning is not directly related to 'Favorit'.
Obwohl er als Außenseiter startet, glaubt er an seine Chance.
Although he starts as the underdog, he believes in his chance.
Nach drei Siegen gilt Max beim Turnier als Favorit.
After three wins, Max is considered the favorite in the tournament.