01
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
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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
komisch vs eigen
own / peculiar
'eigen' and 'komisch' can both mean that something seems strange or unusual. 'komisch' is very common in everyday language and can simply mean: this does not feel normal, or I do not understand it. 'eigen' often sounds a little more cautious or distinctive. It can also mean that something is typical of a person or thing, but in an unusual way. 'komisch' is more direct and can also sound more strongly negative. 'eigen' works well when you find something odd but do not want to express it too harshly.
komisch
Yusuf findet das Geräusch im Keller komisch.
Yusuf finds the noise in the basement strange.
eigen
Der neue Nachbar hat eine eigene Art zu sprechen.
The new neighbor has a distinctive way of speaking.
In real life
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