eccentric
der Sonderling, die Sonderlinge
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eccentric
A person who stands out because of unusual traits and behavior and is therefore considered strange.
Im Dorf galt er als Sonderling, weil er nur nachts spazieren ging und mit niemandem sprach.
In the village, he was considered an eccentric because he only went for walks at night and spoke to no one.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Sonderlinge |
| genitive | des Sonderlings |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Sonderling | die Sonderlinge |
| accusative | den Sonderling | die Sonderlinge |
| dative | dem Sonderling | den Sonderlingen |
| genitive | des Sonderlings | der Sonderlinge |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Common patterns are „als Sonderling gelten“ (to be considered an eccentric) and „jemanden als Sonderling bezeichnen“ (to describe someone as an eccentric). These expressions show how other people judge the person.
Wegen seiner ungewöhnlichen Kleidung gilt er bei seinen Kollegen als Sonderling.
Because of his unusual clothes, his colleagues consider him an eccentric.
„Sonderling“ (eccentric) can sound derogatory, especially when used directly to describe someone. Among people who know each other well, the word can also be meant affectionately; the tone and context are decisive.
Du bist schon ein Sonderling, aber genau das mag ich an dir.
You are quite an eccentric, but that's exactly what I like about you.
Common collocations are „ein kauziger Sonderling“ (an odd eccentric) and „ein liebenswerter Sonderling“ (a lovable eccentric). The adjective shows how one evaluates the person's unusual traits.
Unsere Nachbarin beschreibt ihren Onkel als liebenswerten Sonderling.
Our neighbor describes her uncle as a lovable eccentric.
