eigentümlich
peculiar
Different from what is expected in a striking or unusual way; strange or odd.
EXAMPLE
Sein eigentümliches Verhalten machte die anderen Gäste unsicher.
His peculiar behavior made the other guests feel uneasy.
eigentümlich
peculiar / characteristic
eigentümlich – eigentümlicher – am eigentümlichsten
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
eigentümlich
characteristic
Belonging to someone or something; characteristic of a person, group, or thing.
EXAMPLE
Diese Ruhe ist dem abgelegenen Dorf eigentümlich.
This peacefulness is characteristic of the remote village.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry eigentümlich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | eigentümlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | eigentümlicher |
| superlative | am eigentümlichsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to eigentümlich.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to eigentümlich.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to eigentümlich.
Usage tips
Word family
'Eigentümlich' contains the stem 'eigen' (one's own). This can help you remember especially the meaning that something belongs to or is characteristic of a person, group, or thing.
EXAMPLE
Die dem Bergdorf eigentümliche Art zu sprechen ist in der ganzen Region bekannt.
The way of speaking characteristic of the mountain village is known throughout the region.
Context clue
When referring to behavior, appearance, or situations, 'eigentümlich' often means 'sonderbar' (strange) or 'ungewöhnlich' (unusual). When it describes a person, place, or thing as having a characteristic feature, it refers to something that belongs to that area or is characteristic of it.
EXAMPLE
Die eigentümlichen Geräusche aus dem Keller machten sie nervös.
The peculiar noises from the basement made her nervous.
Diese besondere Färbung ist der Pflanze eigentümlich.
This particular coloring is characteristic of the plant.
Fixed sentence pattern
In the meaning 'characteristic', the phrase 'jemandem oder etwas eigentümlich sein' (to be characteristic of someone or something) is often used. The person or thing to which the feature belongs is in the dative case.
EXAMPLE
Eine große Gelassenheit ist dem erfahrenen Bergführer eigentümlich.
A great calmness is characteristic of the experienced mountain guide.
In real life
Loading video examples...