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.
underdog
A participant in a competition, for example in sports or politics, who is considered to have only a small chance of winning.
Die Mannschaft ging als klarer Außenseiter ins Finale, gewann aber überraschend.
The team went into the final as the clear underdog, but won surprisingly.
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.
foreign body
An Außenseiter is on the margins of a group and is not fully integrated. A Fremdkörper, on the other hand, does not fit into a group or environment as a person and is perceived there as inappropriate or disruptive. Use Außenseiter for a marginal social position and Fremdkörper for the impression of being disruptive.
Weil die anderen ihn kaum einbezogen, blieb er im neuen Team ein Außenseiter.
Because the others barely included him, he remained an outsider on the new team.
Wegen seiner abwertenden Kommentare wirkte er im neuen Team wie ein Fremdkörper.
Because of his disparaging comments, he seemed like a misfit on the new team.
