normal
Corresponding to the usual standards, the norm, or expectations; ordinary, typical.
EXAMPLE
Es ist ganz normal, vor einer wichtigen Prüfung aufgeregt zu sein.
It's completely normal to be nervous before an important exam.
normal
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
normal
really / totally
A colloquial intensifier meaning 'very' or 'totally'. Used especially in youth language.
EXAMPLE
Der Film gestern war normal langweilig.
The film yesterday was really boring.
Usage tips
Word family
'Normal' belongs to the word family around 'die Norm' (the norm). The adverb 'normalerweise' (normally) is very common and means 'as a rule' or 'usually'.
EXAMPLE
Normalerweise trinke ich morgens Kaffee, aber heute habe ich Tee getrunken.
Normally I drink coffee in the morning, but today I had tea.
Typical sentence patterns
The constructions 'Es ist normal, dass ...' (It is normal that ...) with a subordinate clause and 'Es ist normal, ... zu ...' (It is normal to ...) with an infinitive are very common. You can use them to express a general expectation or rule.
EXAMPLE
Es ist völlig normal, am Anfang ein paar Fehler zu machen.
It's completely normal to make a few mistakes at the beginning.
Register and style
The meaning 'sehr' (very) or 'total' (totally) is purely colloquial and youth language. Avoid this use in formal or written contexts so that you don't sound inappropriate.
EXAMPLE
Die Party gestern war normal cool!
The party yesterday was totally cool!
Context clue
You can recognize the colloquial meaning by the fact that 'normal' stands before another adjective or adverb and intensifies it. In its standard meaning, it would refer to a noun.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin heute normal müde, weil ich schlecht geschlafen habe.
I'm really tired today because I slept badly.
Compare with
normal vs total
totally / total
Total and normal can both function as intensifiers meaning “very” in colloquial statements. Total is commonly used for this, whereas normal as an intensifier occurs especially in youth language and may sound unusual outside that style. Use normal only when the casual style fits.
normal
Der neue Film ist normal spannend.
The new film is really exciting.
total
Der neue Film ist total spannend.
The new film is totally exciting.
In real life
Loading video examples...