revealing / characteristic
Loading your saved state.
revealing / characteristic
Typical or characteristic of a person, thing, or situation in a way that says something important about it.
Es ist bezeichnend für seine Einstellung, dass er sich nicht einmal entschuldigt hat.
It is revealing of his attitude that he did not even apologize.
'Bezeichnend' (revealing / characteristic) is the present participle of the verb 'bezeichnen' (to designate / call). The word is related to 'das Zeichen' (the sign) and literally means that something points like a sign to a particular quality or state.
Seine Reaktion war ein bezeichnendes Beispiel für seine Ungeduld.
His reaction was a revealing example of his impatience.
'Bezeichnend' (revealing / characteristic) is very often used with the preposition 'für' + accusative. This construction indicates for whom or what something is typical or characteristic.
Diese schnelle Entscheidung ist bezeichnend für sie.
This quick decision is characteristic of her.
The word has a slightly analytical and evaluative undertone. It is often used to comment on an observation and draw a conclusion about the character of a person or situation.
Bezeichnenderweise hat er auf die wichtigste Frage nicht geantwortet.
Revealingly, he did not answer the most important question.
typical
Typisch describes behavior as recurring and expected for a person or group. Bezeichnend places greater emphasis on the fact that the behavior says something important about them or the situation. Use „typisch“ for a familiar pattern and „bezeichnend“ when something can be inferred from it.
Dass er wieder zu spät kommt, ist bezeichnend für seine schlechte Planung.
His being late again is revealing of his poor planning.
Dass er wieder zu spät kommt, ist typisch für ihn.
His being late again is typical of him.
