nonsense
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nonsense
An informal, derogatory term for something that is perceived as nonsensical, stupid, or completely illogical.
Es ist doch völliger Schwachsinn, bei diesem Sturm ohne Jacke rauszugehen!
It's complete nonsense to go outside without a jacket in this storm!
mental disability
An outdated medical term, now considered discriminatory and inappropriate, for a severe intellectual disability.
In historischen medizinischen Dokumenten wird der Begriff „Schwachsinn“ zur Klassifizierung von Intelligenzminderungen verwendet.
In historical medical documents, the term 'Schwachsinn' is used to classify intellectual impairments.
The word is made up of 'schwach' (weak) and 'Sinn' (sense/mind). It literally means 'weak sense' or 'weak mind,' which explains the derogatory meaning 'Unsinn' (nonsense).
Seine Erklärung klang für mich nach reinem Schwachsinn.
His explanation sounded like pure nonsense to me.
In the meaning 'Unsinn' (nonsense), 'Schwachsinn' is a very informal and strongly derogatory word. It is used in colloquial speech to describe something as extremely stupid or pointless.
Rede doch nicht so einen Schwachsinn!
Don't talk such nonsense!
The medical meaning for an intellectual disability is now completely outdated and considered discriminatory. Never use this word for people, as it is extremely offensive.
In alten Büchern findet man manchmal den Begriff „Schwachsinn“ in einem medizinischen Kontext.
In old books, you sometimes find the term 'Schwachsinn' in a medical context.
nonsense
Unsinn and Schwachsinn can both be used dismissively for an illogical or stupid statement. Unsinn is the more neutral and less harsh term. Schwachsinn is colloquial and clearly derogatory, and is appropriate only when the speaker deliberately wants to express very strong rejection.
Im wütenden Streit bezeichnet sie dieselbe unlogische Behauptung als Schwachsinn.
During the angry argument, she calls the same illogical claim utter nonsense.
Im ruhigen Gespräch bezeichnet sie die unlogische Behauptung als Unsinn.
During the calm conversation, she calls the illogical claim nonsense.
