herrisch
bossy / domineering
Behaving in an authoritarian, commanding way toward others and trying to impose one's will.
EXAMPLE
Sein herrischer Ton machte das Gespräch unangenehm.
His bossy tone made the conversation unpleasant.
herrisch
bossy / domineering
herrisch – herrischer – am herrischsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry herrisch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | herrisch |
|---|---|
| comparative | herrischer |
| superlative | am herrischsten |
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 herrisch.
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 herrisch.
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 herrisch.
Usage tips
Word formation
'herrisch' (bossy) contains 'Herr' (master/lord), combined with the ending '-isch' (-ish). As a memory aid, imagine someone who sees themselves as the master of other people.
EXAMPLE
Die Kundin wurde herrisch, als das Personal ihren Wunsch nicht sofort erfüllte.
The customer became bossy when the staff did not fulfill her request immediately.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'ein herrischer Ton' (a bossy tone), 'ein herrischer Blick' (a domineering look), and 'eine herrische Geste' (a bossy gesture). These expressions help you specify how a person displays this attitude.
EXAMPLE
Mit einer herrischen Geste forderte sie uns auf, den Raum zu verlassen.
With a bossy gesture, she ordered us to leave the room.
Negative connotation
'Herrisch' (bossy) usually expresses criticism of a person's behavior. In a direct statement to someone, it can therefore sound like an accusation.
EXAMPLE
Du wirkst ziemlich herrisch, wenn du uns ständig unterbrichst und Anweisungen gibst.
You seem pretty bossy when you keep interrupting us and giving orders.
In real life
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