schäbig
shabby
In poor, worn-out condition, often because of age or lack of care. Usually refers to objects, clothing, or places.
EXAMPLE
Er trug einen alten, schäbigen Mantel.
He was wearing an old, shabby coat.
schäbig
shabby / mean
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Meanings
schäbig
mean
Mean, unfair, or dishonorable in behavior toward other people.
EXAMPLE
Es war schäbig von ihm, dich so vor allen Leuten zu kritisieren.
It was mean of him to criticize you like that in front of everyone.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'schäbig' depends on the context. If it refers to objects or places, it means 'worn-out' or 'run-down'. If it refers to people's behavior, it means 'mean' or 'unfair'.
EXAMPLE
Das Hotelzimmer war klein und schäbig.
The hotel room was small and shabby.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'worn-out', 'schäbig' is often used to describe the poor condition of clothing, buildings, or furniture.
EXAMPLE
Er wohnte in einer schäbigen Gegend am Stadtrand.
He lived in a shabby area on the outskirts of town.
Use for behavior
When it is about character or actions, 'schäbig' describes morally low or unfair behavior. Typical combinations are 'eine schäbige Ausrede' (a shabby excuse) or 'jemanden schäbig behandeln' (to treat someone badly/meanly).
EXAMPLE
Das war eine schäbige Lüge, um sich selbst zu schützen.
That was a mean lie to protect himself.
Sentence structure with 'von'
To criticize someone's unfair behavior, the construction 'Es ist schäbig von [person in the dative], ... zu ...' (It is mean of [person] to ...) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Es war schäbig von ihr, dir nicht die Wahrheit zu sagen.
It was mean of her not to tell you the truth.
Compare with
schäbig vs gemein
mean / common
Gemein and schäbig both express a negative judgment of behavior. Gemein generally describes a malicious, unfair, or hurtful action. Schäbig is especially appropriate when the behavior also seems dishonorable or petty.
schäbig
Es war schäbig von Paul, den Erfolg seiner Kollegin als seinen eigenen auszugeben.
It was shabby of Paul to pass off his colleague’s success as his own.
gemein
Es war gemein von Paul, seine Kollegin vor allen absichtlich zu verletzen.
It was mean of Paul to deliberately hurt his colleague in front of everyone.
In real life
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