cute / odd
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cute
Appealing and charming in a cute, funny, or endearing way. Often used for small animals, babies, or small objects.
Das Eichhörnchen, das die Nüsse im Garten vergrub, sah total putzig aus.
The squirrel burying the nuts in the garden looked totally cute.
The word 'putzig' (cute / odd) is related to the verb 'putzen' (to clean; to spruce up). The original idea was that something was 'herausgeputzt' (dressed up or spruced up), meaning made beautiful and decorated, and therefore looked cute.
Die kleinen, bunt bemalten Häuser im Dorf sehen sehr putzig aus.
The small, brightly painted houses in the village look very cute.
'Putzig' (cute) is almost always used for small living beings or things that are perceived as harmless and charming. Typical examples are baby animals, small children, or lovingly designed objects.
Wir haben im Zoo putzige Pinguin-Küken gesehen.
We saw cute penguin chicks at the zoo.
This word is emotional and subjective. It expresses a personal feeling of cuteness and is therefore used mainly in informal spoken language.
Dein kleiner Hund mit der Schleife im Haar ist ja total putzig!
Your little dog with the bow in its hair is really cute!
You can recognize the rarer meaning 'seltsam' (strange) or 'komisch' (funny/odd) because it often refers to the appearance or behavior of adult people. It usually has a slightly ironic or amused undertone.
Er hat die putzige Angewohnheit, beim Nachdenken immer mit dem Fuß zu wippen.
He has the odd habit of always tapping his foot when he is thinking.
funny / strange
'komisch' and 'putzig' can both have to do with something funny or odd. 'komisch' is more neutral and broader: something can be funny, but it can also seem strange or not quite normal. 'putzig' usually means something cute and endearing, for example a small animal, a baby, or a small object. The meaning 'odd' also exists for 'putzig', but it sounds less common and sometimes a little old-fashioned or regional. The words can be confused when something seems cute and funny at the same time. If it is mainly sweet and charming, 'putzig' fits better; if it is simply funny or strange, 'komisch' fits better.
Das kleine Kaninchen sieht mit seinen langen Ohren wirklich putzig aus.
The little rabbit looks really cute with its long ears.
Maria findet es komisch, dass im Treppenhaus plötzlich ein alter Stuhl steht.
Maria finds it strange that an old chair has suddenly appeared in the stairwell.