strange
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strange
Causing a feeling of unfamiliarity, surprise, or slight discomfort; seeming strange or odd.
Sein plötzlicher Themenwechsel im Gespräch wirkte auf alle Anwesenden befremdlich.
His sudden change of subject in the conversation seemed strange to everyone present.
The word is derived from 'fremd' (foreign/strange). Something that is 'befremdlich' (strange) makes you feel out of place or uncomfortable in a situation. So it describes the effect on a person.
Ihre Reaktion auf die gute Nachricht war irgendwie befremdlich.
Her reaction to the good news was somehow strange.
'Befremdlich' (strange) is often used predicatively with verbs like 'sein' (to be), 'wirken' (to seem), or 'klingen' (to sound). A very common construction is also 'etwas befremdlich finden' (to find something strange), used to express one's own reaction.
Ich fand es befremdlich, dass er sich nicht verabschiedet hat.
I found it strange that he didn't say goodbye.
The word belongs more to elevated or written language. It expresses a subtler form of 'seltsam' (strange) or 'komisch' (weird/funny) and is often used to describe a detached sense of surprise.
Er hatte die befremdliche Angewohnheit, beim Sprechen die Augen zu schließen.
He had the strange habit of closing his eyes while speaking.
strange
Seltsam and befremdlich can describe behavior that causes surprise or slight discomfort. Befremdlich, however, emphasizes more strongly that one distances oneself from it or finds it objectionable, while seltsam leaves the reaction more open. Use seltsam for mere irritation and befremdlich when it clearly causes a distancing reaction.
Ich fand es befremdlich, dass er während des Gesprächs meine Fragen absichtlich ignorierte.
I found it unsettling that he deliberately ignored my questions during the conversation.
Ich fand es seltsam, dass er während des Gesprächs kaum antwortete.
I thought it was strange that he barely answered during the conversation.
