lächerlich
ridiculous
So absurd, unreasonable, or silly that it causes mockery or amusement.
EXAMPLE
Sein Vorschlag, das Problem mit Magie zu lösen, war einfach nur lächerlich.
His suggestion to solve the problem with magic was simply ridiculous.
lächerlich
ridiculous
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Meanings
lächerlich
ridiculously small
So slight, small, or insignificant that it is almost an insult.
EXAMPLE
Für diese viele Arbeit hat er eine lächerlich geringe Bezahlung erhalten.
For all that work, he received a ridiculously low payment.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'lächerlich' (ridiculous) is derived directly from the verb 'lachen' (to laugh). Something that is 'lächerlich' makes you laugh—often not out of joy, but out of mockery.
EXAMPLE
Seine Angst vor Spinnen war für seine Freunde einfach nur lächerlich.
His fear of spiders was simply ridiculous to his friends.
Fixed expression
A very important reflexive expression is 'sich lächerlich machen' (to make a fool of oneself). It means that you expose yourself to other people's mockery through your own behavior or appearance.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du diese Hose anziehst, machst du dich doch lächerlich!
If you wear those pants, you'll make a fool of yourself!
As an intensifier
In the meaning 'insignificantly small', 'lächerlich' (ridiculous/ridiculously) is often used as an adverb to negatively intensify an adjective like 'gering' (small/low) or 'niedrig' (low). It expresses that a quantity or amount is inappropriately small.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto wurde für einen lächerlich niedrigen Preis verkauft.
The car was sold for a ridiculously low price.
Compare with
lächerlich vs absurd
absurd
Lächerlich and absurd can both be used to strongly reject a claim or demand. Absurd primarily emphasizes a contradiction of logic and common sense, whereas lächerlich additionally highlights the effect of being laughed at. Use absurd for logical nonsense and lächerlich when mockery or amusement is also implied.
lächerlich
Die Forderung, dass alle Gäste im Winter ohne Mantel kommen, ist lächerlich.
The demand that all guests come without coats in winter is ridiculous.
absurd
Die Behauptung, dass Wasser bergauf fließt, ist absurd.
The claim that water flows uphill is absurd.
In real life
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