paradoxical
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paradoxical
Seemingly absurd or contradictory, but on closer inspection possibly true or meaningful. It describes a situation or statement that goes against expectation or logic.
Es ist paradox, dass man manchmal Geld ausgeben muss, um langfristig Geld zu sparen.
It is paradoxical that sometimes you have to spend money in order to save money in the long term.
The adjective 'paradox' (paradoxical) is very often used in the structure 'Es ist paradox, dass ...' (It is paradoxical that ...), followed by a subordinate clause that explains the contradiction.
Es ist paradox, dass soziale Medien uns verbinden und gleichzeitig isolieren können.
It is paradoxical that social media can connect us and isolate us at the same time.
'Paradox' (paradoxical) often describes abstract nouns. Common combinations are 'eine paradoxe Situation' (a paradoxical situation), 'eine paradoxe Aussage' (a paradoxical statement), or 'eine paradoxe Wirkung' (a paradoxical effect).
Die Firma befindet sich in der paradoxen Situation, trotz hoher Nachfrage Verluste zu machen.
The company finds itself in the paradoxical situation of making losses despite high demand.
You can also use 'paradox' (paradoxically / paradoxical) as an adverb to describe a verb. Typical phrases are 'paradox klingen' (to sound paradoxical) or 'paradox erscheinen' (to appear paradoxical).
Seine Erklärung klang zunächst paradox, aber am Ende ergab sie Sinn.
His explanation sounded paradoxical at first, but in the end it made sense.
ironic
When describing an event, ironisch (ironic) indicates an unexpected twist that noticeably goes against what was expected. Paradox describes a statement or situation that seems contradictory or illogical but may nevertheless be meaningful or true. Use ironisch for an irony of fate and paradox for an apparent contradiction.
Es klingt paradox, dass mehr Auswahl die Entscheidung manchmal schwieriger macht.
It sounds paradoxical that having more choices sometimes makes a decision more difficult.
Es war ironisch, dass ausgerechnet der vorsichtigste Fahrer den einzigen Unfall des Tages hatte.
It was ironic that the most careful driver of all was the one who had the only accident of the day.
