schmierig
greasy
Covered in fat, oil, or a similar substance and therefore slippery or sticky.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Essen waren seine Finger ganz schmierig.
After the meal, his fingers were very greasy.
schmierig
greasy / grimy / sleazy
schmierig – schmieriger – am schmierigsten
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Meanings
schmierig
grimy
Dirty, unkempt, or unpleasant to look at.
EXAMPLE
Der schmierige Küchenboden musste dringend gereinigt werden.
The grimy kitchen floor urgently needed cleaning.
schmierig
sleazy
Unpleasant, morally dubious, or slick and dishonest in an off-putting way.
EXAMPLE
Dieser schmierige Verkäufer wollte ihr unbedingt einen unnötigen Vertrag aufdrängen.
That sleazy salesman was determined to pressure her into signing an unnecessary contract.
schmierig
smarmy
Excessively eager to please or flatter, making it seem insincere.
EXAMPLE
Seine schmierigen Komplimente nahm ihm niemand ab.
Nobody believed his smarmy compliments were sincere.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry schmierig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | schmierig |
|---|---|
| comparative | schmieriger |
| superlative | am schmierigsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to schmierig.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to schmierig.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to schmierig.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Schmierig' (greasy / grimy / sleazy) is derived from 'schmieren' (to smear / to grease) with the suffix '-ig'. The suffix describes a quality associated with smearing or a greasy effect.
EXAMPLE
Die schmierige Creme ließ sich nur schwer von der Haut abwaschen.
The greasy cream was difficult to wash off the skin.
Context clue
With things such as fingers, floors, or surfaces, 'schmierig' (greasy / grimy) usually refers to a physical quality you can perceive with your senses. When used to describe people, behavior, or compliments, 'schmierig' (sleazy / smarmy) expresses a distinctly negative judgment.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem alten Herd lag ein schmieriger Film aus Fett und Staub.
There was a greasy film of fat and dust on the old stove.
Der schmierige Geschäftsmann machte einen unangenehmen Eindruck.
The sleazy businessman made an unpleasant impression.
Derogatory expression
As a judgment, 'schmierig' (sleazy / smarmy) is distinctly derogatory and often expresses disgust, distrust, or strong disapproval. When describing people and their behavior, you should therefore use the word only if you really intend this negative assessment.
EXAMPLE
Ich fand seinen schmierigen Auftritt von Anfang an unangenehm.
I found his smarmy manner unpleasant from the start.
Typical collocations
In its literal sense, 'schmierig' (greasy) often describes body parts or materials that have become unpleasant because of fat or oil. Typical collocations are 'schmierige Finger' (greasy fingers), 'schmierige Hände' (greasy hands), and 'eine schmierige Masse' (a greasy mass).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Arbeiten mit dem Motor waren seine schmierigen Hände kaum sauber zu bekommen.
After working on the engine, he could barely get his greasy hands clean.
In real life
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