schräg
slanted
Not horizontal or vertical; in an inclined or diagonal position.
EXAMPLE
Das Bild hängt schräg an der Wand, du musst es geraderücken.
The picture is hanging crookedly on the wall; you need to straighten it.
schräg
slanted / odd
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
schräg
odd
Colloquial for strange, peculiar, bizarre, or unconventional.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein netter Kerl, hat aber einen ziemlich schrägen Humor.
He's a nice guy, but he has a pretty odd sense of humor.
schräg gegenüber
diagonally opposite
On the other side, but offset diagonally.
EXAMPLE
Die Apotheke befindet sich schräg gegenüber vom Supermarkt.
The pharmacy is diagonally opposite the supermarket.
schräg
off-key
Refers to a tone that sounds unpleasant, wrong, or unharmonious.
EXAMPLE
Aus dem Keller drangen schräge Töne von einer Anfängerband.
Off-key notes from a beginner band came from the basement.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'schräg' depends strongly on the noun it describes. If it refers to an object, it means the position. If it refers to a person or an idea, it means 'seltsam' (strange). If it refers to music or sounds, it means 'unharmonisch' (unharmonious).
EXAMPLE
Die schräge Wand im Dachgeschoss ist ein architektonisches Detail.
The slanted wall in the attic is an architectural detail.
Register: colloquial
The meaning 'seltsam' (strange) or 'unkonventionell' (unconventional) is colloquial. In formal texts, other words would be used instead.
EXAMPLE
Sie trug ein ziemlich schräges Kleid auf der Party.
She wore a pretty odd dress at the party.
Typical collocations
In the colloquial meaning, 'schräg' (odd) is often combined with people or their characteristics. Common phrases are 'ein schräger Typ' (an odd guy), 'ein schräger Vogel' (a strange person), or 'schräger Humor' (odd humor).
EXAMPLE
Mein neuer Kollege ist ein schräger Vogel, aber sehr sympathisch.
My new colleague is an odd bird, but very likable.
Fixed expression
The expression 'schräg gegenüber' (diagonally opposite) is a fixed location phrase. It describes that something is on the other side, for example of a street, and at the same time offset diagonally.
EXAMPLE
Wir wohnen schräg gegenüber von der Bäckerei.
We live diagonally opposite the bakery.
Context: sounds
When 'schräg' is used in connection with music, instruments, or voices, it always means 'falsch' (wrong/off-key), 'unharmonisch' (unharmonious), or 'misstönend' (discordant).
EXAMPLE
Er hat versucht, Gitarre zu spielen, aber es kamen nur schräge Töne heraus.
He tried to play the guitar, but only off-key notes came out.
Compare with
schräg vs komisch
funny / strange
Both words can describe an unusual situation. „Schräg“ sounds more colloquial and suggests something bizarre or unconventional, while „komisch“ can simply mean strange and, depending on the context, can also be understood as funny. „Schräg“ is usually the more precise choice for a deliberately bizarre situation.
schräg
Es war schräg, dass er mitten im Gespräch plötzlich den Raum verließ.
It was weird that he suddenly left the room in the middle of the conversation.
komisch
Es war komisch, dass er mitten im Gespräch plötzlich den Raum verließ.
It was strange that he suddenly left the room in the middle of the conversation.
In real life
Loading video examples...