fool / idiot
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fool / idiot
A derogatory term for a stupid, clumsy, or simple-minded person.
Sei nicht so ein Trottel und lies die Anleitung, bevor du das Gerät einschaltest.
Don't be such an idiot and read the instructions before you turn on the device.
'Der Trottel' (the fool/idiot) is a weak noun (N-declension). This means that in all cases except the nominative singular, it takes the ending '-n'. Learners often make this mistake.
Ich habe dem Trotteln den Weg erklärt.
I explained the way to the idiot.
This word is a strong insult and belongs to colloquial language. You should only use it if you are aware of its negative effect.
Er hat mich einen Trottel genannt, nur weil ich den Schlüssel vergessen habe.
He called me an idiot just because I forgot the key.
The word is often used with the verb 'sein' (to be) or to describe someone directly. A common intensified form is 'der Volltrottel' (complete idiot).
Manchmal fühle ich mich wie ein totaler Trottel.
Sometimes I feel like a total idiot.
hero
'der Held' and 'der Trottel' can both refer colloquially to someone who has done something clumsy or thoughtless. The difference is in the tone. 'der Trottel' is directly derogatory and calls someone stupid or clumsy. 'der Held' is ironic in this use: you are actually saying a positive word, but mean the opposite. This often sounds mocking, and sometimes a bit milder than 'Trottel'. In normal positive sentences, of course, 'Held' is not a synonym of 'Trottel'.
Nenn ihn nicht gleich einen Trottel, nur weil ihm ein Fehler passiert ist.
Don't immediately call him an idiot just because he made a mistake.
Unser Held hat den Schlüssel im Auto eingeschlossen.
Our hero locked the key inside the car.