wannabe
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wannabe
(Derogatory) Describes a person or thing that would like to be something (e.g., an artist, intellectual, exclusive) but does not have the necessary abilities or qualities for it and often seems pretentious.
Er ist nur ein Möchtegern-Künstler, der große Reden schwingt, aber nie etwas fertigstellt.
He's just a wannabe artist who talks big but never finishes anything.
The word 'möchtegern' (wannabe) comes directly from the wish 'ich möchte gern ... sein' (I would like to be ...). So it describes someone who would like to be something but is not.
Er wäre gern ein berühmter Schauspieler, aber er ist nur ein Möchtegern.
He would like to be a famous actor, but he's just a wannabe.
'Möchtegern' (wannabe) is almost always used as a kind of prefix before a noun, often with a hyphen (e.g., 'Möchtegern-Star' (wannabe star)). It is not declined and normally does not stand alone at the end of a sentence.
Die Band besteht aus ein paar Möchtegern-Rockstars.
The band consists of a few wannabe rock stars.
This word has a very negative and mocking connotation. It is an insult that suggests a person is only pretending that they can do or are something.
Nenn ihn nicht einen Dichter, er ist nur ein Möchtegern.
Don't call him a poet; he's just a wannabe.
supposedly / alleged
'angeblich' and 'möchtegern' can both express that something does not seem real or convincing. But the difference is important. Use 'angeblich' when something is claimed, but you do not know for sure or you doubt it. 'möchtegern' describes, in a derogatory way, a person or thing that would like to be something special but does not really come across that way. Learners may confuse the words because both show distance or doubt. Remember: 'angeblich' fits an uncertain claim, while 'möchtegern' fits a critical judgment.
Auf der Feier hat ein Möchtegern-Künstler sehr laut über seine großen Pläne gesprochen.
At the party, a wannabe artist talked very loudly about his big plans.
Die angebliche Expertin hat keine Beweise für ihre Aussage gezeigt.
The alleged expert did not show any evidence for her statement.