lateral thinker / COVID protester
der Querdenker, die Querdenker
Loading your saved state.
lateral thinker
A person who thinks independently of conventional ways of thinking and looks for unusual or new solutions.
Als Querdenker fand er eine einfache Lösung für das schwierige technische Problem.
As a lateral thinker, he found a simple solution to the difficult technical problem.
COVID protester
A person who belongs to the protest movement known as the „Querdenker“, which was directed particularly against government measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The term is often used critically or derogatorily.
Der Querdenker demonstrierte gegen die staatlichen Corona-Maßnahmen.
The COVID protester demonstrated against the government's COVID measures.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Querdenker |
| genitive | des Querdenkers |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Querdenker | die Querdenker |
| accusative | den Querdenker | die Querdenker |
| dative | dem Querdenker | den Querdenkern |
| genitive | des Querdenkers | der Querdenker |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
„Querdenker“ is made up of „quer“ (across / unconventional) and „Denker“ (thinker). Here, „quer“ is meant figuratively: the thinking does not follow familiar paths; „Denker“ refers to the person.
Der Querdenker im Team stellte Fragen, an die bisher niemand gedacht hatte.
The lateral thinker on the team asked questions that no one had thought of before.
Words such as „Innovation“ (innovation), „Ideen“ (ideas), and „Lösungen“ (solutions) often point to the meaning of an independent thinker. When the topic is COVID, vaccines, or protests, the political meaning is often intended. Without clear context, the term can therefore be ambiguous.
Für die Entwicklung neuer Produkte sucht das Unternehmen kreative Querdenker.
The company is looking for creative lateral thinkers to develop new products.
Bei dem Protest gegen die Corona-Regeln versammelten sich zahlreiche Querdenker.
Numerous COVID protesters gathered at the protest against the COVID rules.
In positive descriptions, you will often come across „kreativer Querdenker“ (creative lateral thinker) and „mutiger Querdenker“ (courageous lateral thinker). With „als Querdenker gelten“ (to be regarded as a lateral thinker), you describe the reputation a person has among others.
Wegen seiner ungewöhnlichen Ideen gilt er in der Firma als kreativer Querdenker.
Because of his unusual ideas, he is regarded as a creative lateral thinker at the company.
