01
einsam
lonely
The negative feeling of being alone and without social contacts; feeling separated from others.
example
Obwohl er viele Bekannte hatte, fühlte er sich oft einsam.
Although he had many acquaintances, he often felt lonely.
einsam
lonely / remote
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of 'ein' (one) and the suffix '-sam', which describes a quality or tendency. 'Einsam' (lonely) therefore describes the state or feeling of being alone.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Umzug fühlte er sich in der neuen Stadt sehr einsam.
After the move, he felt very lonely in the new city.
Context clue
The meaning of 'einsam' (lonely / remote) depends on the context. If it refers to a person and their feelings, it means 'lonely'. If it describes a place, it means 'remote' or 'deserted'.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein einsamer Mensch, der nur wenige Freunde hat.
He is a lonely person who has only a few friends.
Typical collocations
When referring to the feeling, 'einsam' (lonely) is often combined with verbs like 'sich fühlen' (to feel), 'sein' (to be), or 'werden' (to become). A typical phrase is 'sich einsam fühlen' (to feel lonely).
EXAMPLE
Im Alter werden viele Menschen einsam.
In old age, many people become lonely.
Typical collocations
When describing a place, 'einsam' (remote / deserted) often comes before nouns like 'Insel' (island), 'Strand' (beach), 'Hütte' (cabin), 'Gegend' (area), or 'Tal' (valley).
EXAMPLE
Der Wanderweg führte durch ein einsames Tal.
The hiking trail led through a remote valley.
Compare with
einsam vs allein
alone / only
'allein' and 'einsam' both have to do with the absence of other people. But 'allein' first describes only the situation: a person is without other people. That can be neutral, good, or bad. 'einsam' describes a negative feeling: you feel abandoned or wish you had more contact. Learners often confuse the words because you can be lonely when you are alone. But not everyone who is alone is also lonely.
einsam
Seit dem Umzug fühlt sich Tom oft einsam, weil er hier noch niemanden kennt.
Since the move, Tom often feels lonely because he doesn't know anyone here yet.
allein
Heute Abend bin ich allein zu Hause und lese in Ruhe ein Buch.
Tonight I am home alone and reading a book in peace.
In real life
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