knorrig
gnarled
Covered with many hard knots and irregular protrusions on the surface, especially when describing trees, branches, and wood.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Eiche hat einen knorrigen Stamm.
The old oak has a gnarled trunk.
knorrig
gnarled / rugged
knorrig – knorriger – am knorrigsten
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Meanings
knorrig
stocky
Having a strong, compact, and somewhat coarse build. This meaning is used to describe people and their body parts.
EXAMPLE
Mit seinen knorrigen Händen hielt der alte Bauer den Stock fest.
With his gnarled hands, the old farmer held on tightly to the stick.
knorrig
rugged
Strong-willed, rough, and not very approachable by nature, yet often likable in a down-to-earth way.
EXAMPLE
Unser Nachbar ist ein knorriger Einzelgänger, der selten ein freundliches Wort sagt, aber immer hilft.
Our neighbor is a rugged loner who rarely says a kind word but always helps.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry knorrig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | knorrig |
|---|---|
| comparative | knorriger |
| superlative | am knorrigsten |
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 knorrig.
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 knorrig.
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 knorrig.
Usage tips
Context clue
With „knorrig“ (gnarled / rugged), the accompanying nouns usually indicate the intended meaning: „Stamm“ (trunk), „Ast“ (branch), or „Holz“ (wood) point to the surface; „Hände“ (hands), „Finger“ (fingers), or „Gestalt“ (build) point to the body; and „Mensch“ (person), „Charakter“ (character), or „Wesen“ (nature) point to the personality.
EXAMPLE
Der knorrige Ast ragte weit über den Weg.
The gnarled branch reached far over the path.
Seine knorrigen Finger zitterten leicht.
His gnarled fingers trembled slightly.
Die knorrige Frau kannte jeden Wanderweg im Wald.
The rugged woman knew every hiking trail in the forest.
Typical collocations
When describing trees and wood, „knorrig“ (gnarled) frequently occurs with words such as „Stamm“ (trunk), „Ast“ (branch), „Wurzel“ (root), or „Holz“ (wood). It is especially typical of old trees with a gnarled trunk or gnarled branches.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem Haus steht ein knorriger Apfelbaum.
There is a gnarled apple tree behind the house.
Die knorrigen Wurzeln ragten aus der Erde.
The gnarled roots protruded from the ground.
Descriptive style
The meaning referring to people and their character is especially common in narrative, literary, or nature-oriented descriptions. The word usually portrays a striking, rough personality and can sound appreciative or affectionate.
EXAMPLE
Der knorrige Förster kannte den Wald besser als jeder andere.
The rugged forester knew the woods better than anyone else.
Trotz seiner knorrigen Art war er bei den Kindern beliebt.
Despite his rugged manner, he was popular with the children.
In real life
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