01
krumm
crooked
Not straight, but bent or curved.
example
Der Nagel ist krumm, den können wir nicht mehr verwenden.
The nail is crooked; we can't use it anymore.
krumm
crooked
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemandem etwas krumm nehmen' (to hold something against someone) is fixed. The person who gets annoyed is in the dative. The expression is very often used in the negative to apologize or soften criticism.
EXAMPLE
Nimm es mir nicht krumm, aber dein Vorschlag ist nicht gut.
Don't hold it against me, but your suggestion isn't good.
Colloquial meaning
In colloquial language, 'krumm' (crooked) also means 'unehrlich' (dishonest) or 'illegal' (illegal). It is almost always used in fixed combinations like 'krumme Geschäfte' (crooked dealings) or 'krumme Dinger' (shady dealings).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei ermittelt gegen ihn wegen krummer Geschäfte.
The police are investigating him for crooked dealings.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'krumm' (crooked) often describes body parts such as 'ein krummer Rücken' (a hunched/crooked back) or 'eine krumme Nase' (a crooked nose), but also objects like 'ein krummer Ast' (a crooked branch).
EXAMPLE
Der alte Mann ging mit krummem Rücken durch den Park.
The old man walked through the park with a hunched back.
Compare with
krumm vs gerade
right now / straight
'gerade' and 'krumm' are opposites when it comes to shapes or lines. 'gerade' describes something that runs without a bend. 'krumm' describes something that is bent, crooked, or not straight. This contrast is very typical for rods, paths, lines, or posture. Important: 'krumm' can also have other figurative meanings, but here it is about shape.
krumm
Nach dem Unfall war das Fahrrad am Lenker krumm.
After the accident, the bicycle's handlebars were crooked.
gerade
Bitte halte das Brett gerade, damit ich es festschrauben kann.
Please hold the board straight so I can screw it in place.
In real life
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