01
gruselig
creepy
Causing a feeling of eerie fear, shivers, or unease; spooky.
example
Der alte, verlassene Friedhof bei Nacht ist wirklich gruselig.
The old, abandoned cemetery at night is really creepy.
gruselig
creepy
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
'Gruselig' (creepy) belongs to a word family: the feeling itself is 'der Grusel' (creepiness/horror), and the action is 'sich gruseln' (to get creeped out). If you get creeped out by something, then you find it 'gruselig' (creepy).
EXAMPLE
Ich grusle mich immer bei Horrorfilmen.
I always get creeped out during horror films.
Sentence structure with "finden"
A very typical and natural way to use this adjective is the construction with the verb 'finden' (to find). With 'Ich finde etwas gruselig' (I find something creepy), you express your personal feeling.
EXAMPLE
Ich finde alte Puppen irgendwie gruselig.
I find old dolls kind of creepy.
Typical collocations
The adjective 'gruselig' (creepy) often describes things that have to do with darkness, the unknown, or horror. Common combinations are: eine gruselige Geschichte (a creepy story), ein gruseliger Ort (a creepy place), eine gruselige Atmosphäre (a creepy atmosphere), or ein gruseliger Clown (a creepy clown).
EXAMPLE
In dem Haus herrschte eine gruselige Stille.
There was a creepy silence in the house.
Compare with
gruselig vs unheimlich
creepy / very
'unheimlich' and 'gruselig' both describe something that triggers fear, shivers, or a strange feeling. 'gruselig' fits especially well with situations, stories, films, or places that really give you the creeps. 'unheimlich' can sound a bit subtler or more mysterious: you do not know exactly why something feels unpleasant or frightening. In many everyday sentences, you can use both words similarly, but 'unheimlich' often emphasizes the strange feeling more, while 'gruselig' emphasizes the creepiness more.
gruselig
Der Film war so gruselig, dass Paul das Licht angelassen hat.
The film was so creepy that Paul left the light on.
unheimlich
Der leere Flur im alten Hotel wirkte nachts unheimlich.
The empty hallway in the old hotel seemed creepy at night.
In real life
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