01
merkwürdig
strange
Strange, odd, or peculiar; different from expected in a way that makes you think.
example
Es kam ein merkwürdiges Geräusch aus dem Motor, also hielt ich an.
A strange noise was coming from the engine, so I stopped.
merkwürdig
strange
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'merken' (to notice/remember) and '-würdig' (-worthy). Literally, it means 'worth remembering.' This original meaning is outdated today, but it explains how the modern meaning 'strange' developed: something is so strange that it is remarkable.
EXAMPLE
Er verhielt sich den ganzen Abend sehr merkwürdig.
He behaved very strangely the whole evening.
Adverbial use
The word is very often used as the adverb 'merkwürdigerweise' (strangely enough / oddly enough) to comment on an entire sentence. It often appears at the beginning of the sentence and means something like 'seltsamerweise' (strangely enough) or 'komischerweise' (oddly enough).
EXAMPLE
Merkwürdigerweise war die Tür offen, obwohl ich sie abgeschlossen hatte.
Strangely enough, the door was open even though I had locked it.
Typical collocations
'Merkwürdig' (strange) often describes inexplicable or unexpected things. Typical combinations are: 'ein merkwürdiges Gefühl' (a strange feeling), 'ein merkwürdiges Geräusch' (a strange noise), 'ein merkwürdiger Zufall' (a strange coincidence), or 'ein merkwürdiges Verhalten' (strange behavior).
EXAMPLE
Ich hatte das merkwürdige Gefühl, beobachtet zu werden.
I had the strange feeling that I was being watched.
Outdated meaning
The meaning 'bemerkenswert' (remarkable) is outdated today and is used almost only in historical or literary texts. In modern German, 'merkwürdig' almost always means 'seltsam' (strange) or 'sonderbar' (odd/peculiar).
EXAMPLE
In dem alten Buch fand er einige merkwürdige Anmerkungen des Autors.
In the old book, he found some remarkable notes by the author.
Compare with
merkwürdig vs eigen
own / peculiar
'eigen' and 'merkwürdig' can both describe something that is different from expected. 'merkwürdig' shows more clearly that you are surprised or do not quite understand something. 'eigen' can also go in this direction, but it often sounds milder and can simply refer to a distinctive personal way of being. For a noticeable or odd situation, 'merkwürdig' is more precise. For a distinctive, perhaps somewhat unusual quality of a person, 'eigen' often fits better.
merkwürdig
Nach dem Gespräch war es merkwürdig still im Supermarkt.
After the conversation, it was strangely quiet in the supermarket.
eigen
Frau Meier hat bei der Bewerbung auf ihre eigene Art sehr ruhig gewirkt.
In the interview, Ms. Meier came across as very calm in her own distinctive way.
In real life
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