grotesque
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grotesque
Distorted, exaggerated, or absurd in a strange or comic way. It describes something so inappropriate or bizarre that it seems ridiculous or unsettling.
Es ist grotesk, dass er sich über den hohen Preis beschwert, aber selbst einen Sportwagen fährt.
It is grotesque that he complains about the high price but drives a sports car himself.
grotesque
In art or literature, a style that combines the comic, the fantastical, and the bizarrely distorted.
Die Erzählungen von E.T.A. Hoffmann sind oft grotesk und unheimlich.
The stories of E.T.A. Hoffmann are often grotesque and eerie.
The adjective 'grotesk' (grotesque) is often used in impersonal sentences with 'es' (it). Typical sentence patterns are 'Es ist grotesk, dass ...' (It is grotesque that ...) or 'Es ist grotesk, zu ...' (It is grotesque to ...).
Es ist grotesk, so viel Geld für ein altes Auto zu verlangen.
It is grotesque to ask so much money for an old car.
'Grotesk' (grotesque) is a strong word that expresses a high degree of absurdity or senselessness. It is often used to sharply criticize a situation or behavior, or to judge it as completely inappropriate.
Die Forderungen des Chefs nahmen groteske Züge an.
The boss's demands took on grotesque proportions.
Common uses are 'grotesk wirken' (to seem grotesque), 'etwas grotesk finden' (to find something grotesque), or combinations with nouns such as 'eine groteske Situation' (a grotesque situation), 'ein grotesker Anblick' (a grotesque sight), or 'eine groteske Vorstellung' (a grotesque idea).
Ich finde es grotesk, wie hier mit den Mitarbeitern umgegangen wird.
I find it grotesque how the employees are treated here.
When 'grotesk' (grotesque) is used in connection with art, literature, theater, or film, it describes a specific style. Signal words for this are nouns like 'Figur' (figure/character), 'Szene' (scene), 'Erzählung' (story), or 'Stilrichtung' (style/movement).
Die Masken im Theaterstück hatten groteske Fratzen.
The masks in the play had grotesque grimaces.
funny / strange
Both words can describe something that seems strange or ridiculous. „Grotesk“ is more strongly marked and describes a bizarre, exaggerated, or absurd effect, while „komisch“ also works for less conspicuous strangeness. „Grotesk“ is more precise for a clearly distorted and exaggerated situation.
Die riesige Statue im winzigen Vorgarten sah grotesk aus.
The huge statue in the tiny front yard looked grotesque.
Die riesige Statue im kleinen Vorgarten sah komisch aus.
The huge statue in the small front yard looked strange.
