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
'Nerd' and 'Streber' can be confused because both describe people who put a lot of time and energy into a topic or into studying. But the difference is important. A nerd is deeply involved with a topic out of genuine passion, often technology, science, or pop culture. A Streber mainly wants to get good grades, success, or advantages and often seems overly ambitious. 'Streber' is usually more derogatory than 'Nerd'. So you are more likely to call someone a Nerd when enthusiasm is the main point, and a Streber when ambition and the desire for recognition are the main point.
In der Klasse nennt man Paul einen Streber, weil er immer Zusatzaufgaben macht.
In class, people call Paul a swot because he always does extra assignments.
Erik ist ein Nerd, weil er sich stundenlang mit alten Computersystemen beschäftigt.
Erik is a nerd because he spends hours working with old computer systems.