ölig
oily
Containing oil or saturated with oil.
EXAMPLE
Das ölige Abwasser darf nicht in den Fluss gelangen.
The oily wastewater must not be allowed to enter the river.
ölig
oily
ölig – öliger – am öligsten
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Meanings
ölig
oily
Covered with oil or contaminated by oil.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Reparatur des Motors waren seine Hände ölig.
After repairing the engine, his hands were oily.
ölig
oily
Resembling oil in its consistency, especially because of a viscous texture or greasy sheen.
EXAMPLE
Die Flüssigkeit war dick und ölig und floss nur langsam aus der Flasche.
The liquid was thick and oily and flowed slowly out of the bottle.
ölig
oily
Disapprovingly describing an excessively friendly, ingratiating manner that seems insincere.
EXAMPLE
Mit öliger Stimme versicherte er seinem Vorgesetzten, wie sehr er ihn bewundere.
In an oily voice, he assured his supervisor how much he admired him.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry ölig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | ölig |
|---|---|
| comparative | öliger |
| superlative | am öligsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to ölig.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to ölig.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to ölig.
Usage tips
Word formation
“Ölig” is made up of the noun “Öl” (oil) and the ending “-ig.” The ending forms an adjective and here indicates a characteristic or a connection with oil.
EXAMPLE
Der Boden war nach dem Unfall ölig und rutschig.
The ground was oily and slippery after the accident.
Technical collocations
In technical and environmental texts, “ölig” is often used with substances or residues that contain oil. Typical collocations are “öliges Abwasser” (oily wastewater), “ölige Rückstände” (oily residues), and “öliger Schlamm” (oily sludge).
EXAMPLE
Die Anlage filtert öliges Abwasser, bevor es weitergeleitet wird.
The facility filters oily wastewater before it is discharged.
Surface contact
When used with body parts, tools, or clothing, “ölig” often describes an outer layer caused by contact with oil. The adjective then refers to the surface of the object.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Wechseln des Filters fühlten sich seine Finger ölig an.
After changing the filter, his fingers felt oily.
Texture and consistency
When used with liquids, creams, or substances, “ölig” describes the consistency or sheen of the thing itself. Common collocations are “ölig glänzen” (to have an oily sheen), “sich ölig anfühlen” (to feel oily), and “ölig auf der Haut liegen” (to sit on the skin with an oily feel).
EXAMPLE
Die Creme fühlt sich zunächst ölig an, zieht aber schnell ein.
The cream initially feels oily, but it absorbs quickly.
Disapproving style
The figurative meaning is especially common with words such as “Stimme” (voice), “Lächeln” (smile), or “Kompliment” (compliment). “Ölig” signals that the friendliness is perceived as excessive and insincere.
EXAMPLE
Sein öliges Lächeln überzeugte die Kundin überhaupt nicht.
His oily smile did not convince the customer at all.
In real life
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