komisch
funny
Funny, amusing, and making people laugh.
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen komischen Hut auf, über den alle lachen mussten.
He's wearing a funny hat that made everyone laugh.
komisch
funny / strange
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Meanings
komisch
strange
Strange, odd, or unusual.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto macht seit gestern ein komisches Geräusch.
The car has been making a strange noise since yesterday.
komisch
to feel strange
To feel physically or emotionally unwell, strange, or not quite healthy.
EXAMPLE
Mir ist irgendwie komisch, ich setze mich lieber mal hin.
I feel kind of strange; I'd better sit down for a bit.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'komisch' (funny/strange) depends heavily on the context. If it refers to something that makes you laugh, such as a joke, it means 'funny'. If it describes something unexpected or hard to understand, such as a noise, it means 'strange'.
EXAMPLE
Der Clown machte ein komisches Gesicht und alle lachten.
The clown made a funny face and everyone laughed.
Dative construction
To express that someone feels unwell, the fixed structure 'jemandem ist komisch' (someone feels strange) is used. The person who feels unwell is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Mir ist plötzlich ganz komisch, ich glaube, ich brauche frische Luft.
I suddenly feel really strange; I think I need some fresh air.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'seltsam' (strange), 'komisch' (strange) is often combined with nouns such as 'Gefühl' (feeling), 'Geräusch' (noise), 'Zufall' (coincidence), or 'Typ' (guy/person).
EXAMPLE
Seit dem Update verhält sich mein Computer komisch.
Since the update, my computer has been behaving strangely.
Compare with
lustigwitzigseltsamspanischschwulmerkwürdigschrägrandomamüsantunwohlhysterischhumorvollgroteskkurioswunderlichsonderbarskurrilputzig
komisch vs lustig
funny
Lustig and komisch can both mean “funny,” but both can also refer to something unusual. Lustig tends to express an amused reaction, whereas komisch is more readily understood as strange. The context must therefore show whether someone is laughing or finds something odd.
komisch
Seine unerwartete Antwort war komisch, und alle wurden plötzlich unsicher.
His unexpected answer was strange, and everyone suddenly felt unsure.
lustig
Seine unerwartete Antwort war lustig, und alle mussten lachen.
His unexpected answer was funny, and everyone had to laugh.
In real life
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