overachiever / swot
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overachiever / swot
A usually derogatory term for a person who tries to gain personal advantages, good grades, or professional success with excessive ambition and diligence. Such people are often assumed to ingratiate themselves with superiors or teachers.
In der Schule nannten sie ihn einen Streber, nur weil er gute Noten haben wollte.
At school, they called him a swot just because he wanted to get good grades.
The word 'Streber' (overachiever / swot) is derived from the verb 'streben' (to strive), which means 'to make ambitious efforts toward something.' A 'Streber' is therefore literally a person who strives for something, usually success or recognition.
Er strebt nach einer höheren Position in der Firma.
He is striving for a higher position in the company.
Careful: 'Streber' (overachiever / swot) is almost always meant negatively or derogatorily. It does not just describe a hardworking person, but often implies antisocial behavior or excessive conformity to authority figures.
Niemand wollte mit ihm arbeiten, weil alle ihn für einen Streber hielten.
No one wanted to work with him because everyone thought he was a swot.
The term 'Streber' (overachiever / swot) is used especially often in the context of school and university to put down classmates or fellow students. Less commonly, it is also used in professional life.
Sie ist keine Streberin, sie ist einfach nur gut organisiert und interessiert.
She isn't a swot; she's simply well organized and interested.
nerd
A Nerd is especially deeply and passionately engaged with a particular subject. A Streber, by contrast, works with intense ambition toward good grades, personal advantages, or professional success. Nerd fits genuine enthusiasm for a subject, while Streber is more appropriate for an excessive drive for achievement.
Die Mitschüler nennen Leon einen Streber, weil er nur für die besten Noten lernt.
Leon's classmates call him a swot because he studies only for the best grades.
Die Mitschüler nennen Leon einen Nerd, weil er jedes Detail über Roboter kennt.
Leon's classmates call him a nerd because he knows every detail about robots.
