onlooker
die Schaulustige, die Schaulustigen
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onlooker
A person who watches out of curiosity or a fascination with the sensational when something unusual, exciting, or public is happening, especially an accident.
Der Schaulustige blieb trotz der Absperrung stehen und beobachtete den Unfall.
The onlooker stopped despite the barriers and watched the accident.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Schaulustigen |
| genitive | der Schaulustigen |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Schaulustige | die Schaulustigen |
| accusative | die Schaulustige | die Schaulustigen |
| dative | der Schaulustigen | den Schaulustigen |
| genitive | der Schaulustigen | der Schaulustigen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Schaulustige' belongs to the word family of 'Schaulust' and is made up of 'Schau' (watching) and 'Lust' (desire). The word therefore describes a person whose interest is especially focused on watching an event unfold.
Immer mehr Schaulustige versammelten sich vor dem brennenden Gebäude.
More and more onlookers gathered in front of the burning building.
'Schaulustige' often appears with verbs and expressions related to watching and gathering: onlookers gather, stop, watch something, or obstruct emergency responders.
Die Polizei forderte die Schaulustigen auf, hinter der Absperrung zu bleiben.
The police told the onlookers to stay behind the barriers.
'Schaulustige' is often used critically or disapprovingly, especially when people watch an accident or emergency operation and make the helpers' work more difficult as a result.
Wegen der vielen Schaulustigen konnten die Rettungskräfte nur langsam zur Unfallstelle gelangen.
Because of the many onlookers, the emergency responders could only reach the accident scene slowly.
