hinterlistig
devious
Deceitful in an underhanded way and intent on harming others or exploiting them for one's own benefit.
EXAMPLE
Sein hinterlistiger Plan wurde rechtzeitig entdeckt.
His devious plan was discovered in time.
hinterlistig
devious
hinterlistig – hinterlistiger – am hinterlistigsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry hinterlistig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | hinterlistig |
|---|---|
| comparative | hinterlistiger |
| superlative | am hinterlistigsten |
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 hinterlistig.
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 hinterlistig.
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 hinterlistig.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Hinterlistig' (devious) is derived from 'Hinterlist' (deviousness) with the suffix '-ig'. 'Hinterlist' refers to underhanded, covert conduct.
EXAMPLE
Die hinterlistige Vorgehensweise des Betrügers fiel zunächst niemandem auf.
The fraudster's devious methods initially went unnoticed.
Typical collocations
'Hinterlistig' (devious) frequently occurs with words such as 'Plan' (plan), 'Angriff' (attack), 'Täuschung' (deception), and 'Vorgehensweise' (approach). The phrase 'hinterlistig handeln' (to act deviously) is also common.
EXAMPLE
Die Angreifer schmiedeten einen hinterlistigen Plan, um in das Gebäude zu gelangen.
The attackers devised a devious plan to get into the building.
Strongly evaluative
The adjective is clearly negative and evaluative. It therefore usually describes behavior, intentions, or actions that the speaker explicitly condemns.
EXAMPLE
Er handelte hinterlistig und verschwieg seiner Kollegin wichtige Informationen.
He acted deviously and withheld important information from his colleague.
In real life
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