sperrig
bulky
Difficult to transport, store, or handle because of its size, shape, or physical characteristics.
EXAMPLE
Der sperrige Schrank passte nicht durch die Tür.
The bulky wardrobe wouldn't fit through the door.
sperrig
bulky / cumbersome
sperrig – sperriger – am sperrigsten
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Meanings
sperrig
cumbersome
Difficult to follow or awkwardly expressed, especially when referring to texts, language, or ideas.
EXAMPLE
Der wissenschaftliche Artikel ist sehr sperrig geschrieben.
The academic article is written in a very cumbersome style.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry sperrig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | sperrig |
|---|---|
| comparative | sperriger |
| superlative | am sperrigsten |
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 sperrig.
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 sperrig.
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 sperrig.
Usage tips
Context clue
When referring to furniture, luggage, or other objects, 'sperrig' (bulky) usually describes a practical problem with transport or space. With words such as 'Text' (text), 'Sprache' (language), or 'Formulierung' (wording), it refers instead to clarity and accessibility.
EXAMPLE
Wegen seiner sperrigen Form ließ sich das Paket kaum tragen.
The package was almost impossible to carry because of its bulky shape.
Die sperrige Sprache des Berichts machte das Lesen anstrengend.
The report's cumbersome language made it tiring to read.
Typical collocations
Common combinations for objects include 'sperrige Möbel' (bulky furniture), 'sperrige Gegenstände' (bulky objects), and 'sperriges Gepäck' (bulky luggage). These often relate to carrying, transport, or the space available.
EXAMPLE
Für den Umzug brauchen wir einen größeren Wagen für die sperrigen Möbel.
We need a larger vehicle for the move to transport the bulky furniture.
Typical collocations
When discussing texts and ideas, 'sperrig' (cumbersome) is often combined with 'Sprache' (language), 'Formulierung' (wording), 'Stil' (style), or 'Text' (text). It often expresses a judgment that the wording seems difficult to follow or unnecessarily convoluted.
EXAMPLE
Die sperrige Formulierung im Vertrag war für viele Leser schwer verständlich.
The cumbersome wording in the contract was difficult for many readers to understand.
In real life
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