grässlich
horrific
Causing great horror or intense fear; terrible or dreadful.
EXAMPLE
Die Zeugen berichteten von einem grässlichen Unfall.
The witnesses reported a horrific accident.
grässlich
terrible / awful
grässlich – grässlicher – am grässlichsten
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Meanings
grässlich
disgusting
Very repulsive, revolting, or tasteless.
EXAMPLE
Der verdorbene Fisch hatte einen grässlichen Geruch.
The spoiled fish had a disgusting smell.
grässlich
terribly
Colloquial: to a very great degree or exceptionally strongly; very.
EXAMPLE
Heute ist es grässlich kalt.
It's terribly cold today.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry grässlich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | grässlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | grässlicher |
| superlative | am grässlichsten |
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 grässlich.
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 grässlich.
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 grässlich.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In the sense of 'entsetzlich' (horrific), 'grässlich' is often used with events or experiences that cause fear and horror. Typical collocations include 'ein grässlicher Unfall' (a horrific accident), 'ein grässliches Verbrechen' (a horrific crime), and 'ein grässlicher Anblick' (a horrific sight).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei untersuchte einen grässlichen Überfall.
The police investigated a horrific assault.
Sensory impression
When describing a repulsive sensory impression, 'grässlich' often refers to a smell, taste, or sight. The context then frequently mentions something perceived physically.
EXAMPLE
Aus dem Kühlschrank kam ein grässlicher Geruch.
A disgusting smell came from the refrigerator.
Colloquial intensifier
As an intensifier, 'grässlich' is colloquial and usually appears directly before an adjective or adverb. It describes a particularly high degree, for example with weather, pain, or tiredness.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Wanderung waren wir grässlich müde.
After the long hike, we were terribly tired.
In real life
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