dumm
stupid
Not very intelligent or clever; showing poor judgment.
EXAMPLE
Das war eine wirklich dumme Antwort auf eine einfache Frage.
That was a really stupid answer to a simple question.
dumm
stupid / unfortunate
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Meanings
dumm
unfortunate
Unpleasant, annoying, or unlucky. Describes a negative situation or mishap.
EXAMPLE
Es ist dumm gelaufen, dass wir den letzten Zug verpasst haben.
It was unfortunate that we missed the last train.
zu dumm sein für
to be too good for
A colloquial expression meaning that someone does not want to do something or considers it pointless.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin mir zu dumm dafür, stundenlang für ein Konzertticket anzustehen.
I'm too good for standing in line for hours for a concert ticket.
Usage tips
Register
Using 'dumm' (stupid/unfortunate) for an unpleasant situation or in the expression 'sich zu dumm sein für etwas' (to be too good for something) is mainly colloquial. In more formal contexts, you would choose other expressions.
EXAMPLE
Dumm, dass ich meinen Schirm vergessen habe.
How annoying that I forgot my umbrella.
Usage pattern
'Dumm' (stupid) can describe a person's trait or evaluate a single action. 'Er ist dumm' (He is stupid) is a strong, general statement about a person, while 'Das war dumm' (That was stupid) refers only to a specific action.
EXAMPLE
Es war dumm von mir, den Schlüssel zu vergessen.
It was stupid of me to forget the key.
Context clue
When 'dumm' (stupid/unfortunate) does not refer to a person or an idea, but to a situation or event, it means 'annoying' or 'unfortunate'. A very common phrase is 'dumm gelaufen' (that went badly / bad luck).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben den Bus verpasst, das ist echt dumm gelaufen.
We missed the bus; that was really unfortunate.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich für etwas zu dumm sein' does not mean that someone is intellectually incapable. It expresses that someone considers something beneath their dignity or simply doesn't feel like doing it.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin mir zu dumm dafür, drei Stunden für ein Handy anzustehen.
I'm too good for standing in line for three hours for a phone.
Compare with
dumm vs blöd
stupid / annoying
Dumm and blöd can both be used to judge an unwise action or a negative situation. Dumm more strongly suggests a lack of insight or common sense, while blöd is more colloquial and often expresses annoyance or regret about the situation. Dumm fits a clear criticism, while blöd fits a casual reaction to a mishap.
dumm
Es war dumm, die wichtige Adresse nicht zu prüfen.
It was stupid not to check the important address.
blöd
Es war blöd, dass ich die wichtige Adresse nicht geprüft habe.
It was annoying that I didn't check the important address.
In real life
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