tollpatschig
clumsy
Awkward and inept in one's movements or behavior, so that small mishaps happen easily.
EXAMPLE
Der tollpatschige Junge stieß beim Abendessen ständig an die Gläser.
The clumsy boy kept knocking into the glasses during dinner.
tollpatschig
clumsy
tollpatschig – tollpatschiger – am tollpatschigsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry tollpatschig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | tollpatschig |
|---|---|
| comparative | tollpatschiger |
| superlative | am tollpatschigsten |
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 tollpatschig.
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 tollpatschig.
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 tollpatschig.
Usage tips
Word family
'Tollpatschig' contains the noun 'Tollpatsch' (clumsy person), which refers to a person. The suffix '-ig' (-y) turns it into a quality that can also describe individual movements or behavior.
EXAMPLE
Mit den dicken Handschuhen waren ihre Bewegungen ziemlich tollpatschig.
Because of the thick gloves, her movements were quite clumsy.
Typical expression
A common expression is 'sich tollpatschig anstellen' (to be clumsy at something), especially when someone has difficulty with a practical task. The reflexive pronoun changes according to the subject.
EXAMPLE
Beim Verpacken des Geschenks habe ich mich ziemlich tollpatschig angestellt.
I was pretty clumsy while wrapping the present.
Tone and effect
'Tollpatschig' is often used in casual conversations and also jokingly about oneself. Depending on the tone, using it about another person can sound affectionate or derogatory.
EXAMPLE
Jetzt habe ich schon wieder meinen Tee verschüttet – heute bin ich wirklich tollpatschig!
Now I've spilled my tea again—I'm really clumsy today!
In real life
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