tückisch
devious
Secretly malicious and deceitful, with the intention of harming or tricking someone.
EXAMPLE
Der tückische Betrüger nutzte das Vertrauen seiner Opfer aus.
The devious con artist exploited his victims’ trust.
tückisch
treacherous / devious
tückisch – tückischer – am tückischsten
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Meanings
tückisch
treacherous
Dangerous even though the danger is not immediately obvious, making it especially difficult to assess.
EXAMPLE
Die tückische Krankheit blieb lange unbemerkt.
The treacherous disease went unnoticed for a long time.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry tückisch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | tückisch |
|---|---|
| comparative | tückischer |
| superlative | am tückischsten |
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 tückisch.
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 tückisch.
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 tückisch.
Usage tips
Word family
'Tückisch' (treacherous / devious) belongs to the word family of 'Tücke' (malice, deceit). This can help you remember that the word often refers to a hidden malicious intention or a concealed danger.
EXAMPLE
Sein tückisches Verhalten machte eine Zusammenarbeit unmöglich.
His devious behavior made cooperation impossible.
Context clue
When 'tückisch' (treacherous / devious) refers to a person, plan, or action, it usually means deliberately deceitful. When it describes illnesses, natural conditions, or situations, it often refers to a danger that initially remains hidden.
EXAMPLE
Der tückische Nachbar verbreitete heimlich falsche Gerüchte.
The devious neighbor secretly spread false rumors.
Die tückischen Wetterbedingungen überraschten selbst erfahrene Bergsteiger.
The treacherous weather conditions surprised even experienced mountaineers.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of a danger that is difficult to recognize, 'tückisch' (treacherous) often appears with 'Krankheit' (disease), 'Gefahr' (danger), 'Bedingungen' (conditions), 'Strömung' (current), or 'Glätte' (icy conditions).
EXAMPLE
Die tückische Glätte führte auf der Brücke zu mehreren Unfällen.
The treacherous ice caused several accidents on the bridge.
In real life
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