01
paranoid
Colloquially, excessively distrustful and suspicious of others without any real reason.
example
Sei nicht so paranoid, niemand liest deine E-Mails mit.
Don't be so paranoid; nobody is reading your emails.
paranoid
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning depends heavily on the context. In everyday language, 'paranoid' describes exaggerated distrust. In a medical or psychological context, it refers to a serious mental disorder.
EXAMPLE
Er ist total paranoid und denkt, alle reden hinter seinem Rücken über ihn.
He is totally paranoid and thinks everyone is talking about him behind his back.
Colloquial usage
In colloquial language, 'paranoid' is often used as an exaggeration to describe someone who worries without reason or is suspicious. It is often intensified with adverbs like 'total' (totally) or 'komplett' (completely).
EXAMPLE
Du musst nicht gleich paranoid werden, nur weil dein Chef dich kurz angesehen hat.
You don't have to get paranoid just because your boss looked at you briefly.
Medical context
In the clinical sense, 'paranoid' is a technical term. You often find it in combination with other technical terms such as 'paranoide Schizophrenie' (paranoid schizophrenia) or 'paranoide Wahnvorstellungen' (paranoid delusions).
EXAMPLE
Menschen mit einer paranoiden Persönlichkeitsstörung haben ein tiefes Misstrauen gegenüber anderen.
People with a paranoid personality disorder have a deep distrust of others.
Compare with
paranoid vs verrückt
crazy
'verrückt' and 'paranoid' can both describe someone who seems not normal or not reasonable. The important difference is: 'paranoid' specifically means strong distrust, that is, the fear that others want to harm you even though there is no clear reason. 'verrückt' is much more general and can describe strange behavior, a funny idea, or a chaotic situation. The words can be confused when someone reacts in an exaggerated way. But only when it is really about distrust or fear of persecution does 'paranoid' fit more precisely.
paranoid
Nach dem Streit wurde Tom paranoid und dachte, alle Kollegen redeten über ihn.
After the argument, Tom became paranoid and thought all his colleagues were talking about him.
verrückt
Es war verrückt, mitten in der Nacht noch einen Kuchen zu backen.
It was crazy to bake a cake in the middle of the night.
In real life
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