süßlich
sweetish
Somewhat sweet, often with a slightly unpleasant or overly strong sweet taste or smell.
EXAMPLE
Der Tee schmeckte süßlich und hatte einen künstlichen Nachgeschmack.
The tea tasted sweetish and had an artificial aftertaste.
süßlich
sweetish / saccharine
süßlich – süßlicher – am süßlichsten
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Meanings
süßlich
saccharine
Excessively emotional, mawkish, or sentimental, and therefore often seeming kitschy.
EXAMPLE
Der Film erzählt eine süßliche Liebesgeschichte ohne überraschende Wendungen.
The film tells a saccharine love story without any surprising twists.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry süßlich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | süßlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | süßlicher |
| superlative | am süßlichsten |
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 süßlich.
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 süßlich.
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 süßlich.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Süßlich' (sweetish) is made up of 'süß' (sweet) and the ending '-lich'. The ending forms an adjective that here describes a partial or noticeable quality of 'süß' (sweet).
EXAMPLE
Der süßliche Duft von künstlichen Blumen erfüllte den Raum.
The sweetish scent of artificial flowers filled the room.
Typical collocations
In its meaning related to taste and smell, 'süßlich' (sweetish) often occurs with words such as 'Geschmack' (taste), 'Geruch' (smell), 'Duft' (scent), or 'Nachgeschmack' (aftertaste). The evaluation is often critical, especially with artificial or unpleasant impressions.
EXAMPLE
Die Soße hatte einen süßlichen Geschmack, der nicht zum Fleisch passte.
The sauce had a sweetish taste that did not go well with the meat.
Critical tone
When referring to feelings, stories, or artistic representations, 'süßlich' (saccharine) is usually derogatory: It describes an exaggerated emphasis on emotion and often signals that the speaker does not find it convincing.
EXAMPLE
Die süßliche Musik passte für ihn nicht zur ernsten Szene.
The saccharine music did not seem appropriate to him for the serious scene.
In real life
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