foreign body
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foreign body
An object or substance that has entered a body or system from the outside and does not belong there.
Der Arzt musste einen Fremdkörper aus dem Auge des Kindes entfernen.
The doctor had to remove a foreign body from the child's eye.
The word is made up of 'fremd' (foreign/strange) and 'Körper' (body). Its meaning is therefore literal: a body that is foreign in an environment. This principle applies to both meanings.
Ein Splitter im Finger ist ein klassischer Fremdkörper.
A splinter in your finger is a classic foreign body.
In a medical context, a foreign body is often 'entfernt' (removed), 'verschluckt' (swallowed), or it 'dringt' into the body 'ein' (penetrates/enters). The most common preposition is 'in' with the dative or accusative.
Der Chirurg entfernte den Fremdkörper aus der Wunde.
The surgeon removed the foreign body from the wound.
In the figurative meaning, the constructions 'sich fühlen wie ein Fremdkörper' (to feel like a misfit/foreign body) or 'ein Fremdkörper in einer Gruppe sein' (to be a misfit in a group) are often used. It describes a feeling of not belonging.
Er passte nicht ins Team und fühlte sich von Anfang an wie ein Fremdkörper.
He didn't fit into the team and felt like a misfit from the very beginning.
outsider / underdog
'der Außenseiter' and 'der Fremdkörper' can both express that someone does not really fit into a group. 'Außenseiter' usually means a person who stands on the margins and does not fully belong. 'Fremdkörper' sounds stronger and often harsher: a person or thing seems out of place or even disruptive in an environment. The words can be confused because both have to do with not belonging. For people in groups, 'Außenseiter' is often more natural; 'Fremdkörper' fits better when someone or something seems clearly out of place in a system.
Der moderne Glasturm wirkt zwischen den alten Häusern wie ein Fremdkörper.
The modern glass tower looks like a foreign body among the old houses.
Mein Bruder war im Verein lange der Außenseiter, weil er niemanden kannte.
My brother was the outsider in the club for a long time because he didn't know anyone.