lahm
lame
Restricted in movement, especially when walking; limping.
EXAMPLE
Seit dem Sturz ist das Pferd am rechten Vorderbein lahm.
Since the fall, the horse has been lame in its right front leg.
lahm
lame / slow
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Meanings
lahm
lame
Colloquial for boring, uninteresting, or uninspired.
EXAMPLE
Die Party war total lahm, deshalb sind wir schon früh gegangen.
The party was totally lame, so we left early.
lahm
slow
Colloquial for slow or not working properly, often referring to technical devices or systems.
EXAMPLE
Mein Computer ist heute so lahm, dass ich kaum arbeiten kann.
My computer is so slow today that I can barely work.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'lahm' (lame) is the basis for the verb 'lähmen' (to paralyze; to make unable to move) and the noun 'die Lähmung' (paralysis; state of being unable to move).
EXAMPLE
Ein schwerer Unfall kann die Beine lähmen.
A serious accident can paralyze the legs.
Derived verb
The separable verb 'lahmlegen' is formed from 'lahm' (lame). It means to bring something to a standstill and is often used for traffic, computers, or the economy.
EXAMPLE
Ein Stromausfall hat die gesamte Produktion lahmgelegt.
A power outage brought the entire production to a standstill.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If 'lahm' (lame) refers to a living being, it is meant literally (limping). If it refers to an event or a joke, it means 'boring'. With technology, it means 'slow'.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Hund ist schon etwas lahm.
The old dog is already a bit lame.
Colloquial use
In the meaning of 'langweilig' (boring), 'lahm' (lame) is a very common colloquial word. It is often used for parties, jokes, films, or even excuses.
EXAMPLE
Das war eine wirklich lahme Ausrede, die ihm niemand geglaubt hat.
That was a really lame excuse that nobody believed.
Compare with
lahm vs langsam
slow
When referring to a computer, langsam and lahm can both describe a low response speed. Langsam states the speed neutrally. Lahm is colloquial and evaluates the performance as inadequate or the device as not working properly.
lahm
Der Rechner ist heute wieder völlig lahm.
The computer is completely sluggish again today.
langsam
Der Rechner reagiert heute etwas langsam.
The computer is responding a little slowly today.
In real life
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