outrageous / unheard
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outrageous
Scandalous, outrageous, or insolent; something that far exceeds the limits of what is acceptable or expected.
Es ist eine unerhörte Frechheit, so über abwesende Kollegen zu sprechen!
It is an outrageous piece of impudence to speak about absent colleagues like that!
unheard
In the literal sense: not heard or taken notice of. Often refers to a request, a call, or a wish that was ignored.
Seine Warnungen vor der Gefahr blieben leider unerhört.
His warnings about the danger unfortunately went unheard.
extraordinary
To a very great or extreme degree; unprecedented. Used to intensify nouns.
Der Musiker spielte mit einer unerhörten Virtuosität.
The musician played with extraordinary virtuosity.
The word consists of the prefix 'un-' and 'erhört', the past participle of 'erhören' (to hear and grant a request). The literal meaning is 'not heard'. From this comes the more common figurative meaning 'scandalous, because nothing like it has been seen before'.
Seine Bitte um Hilfe blieb unerhört.
His request for help went unheard.
The meaning depends heavily on the context. If it refers to behavior or a statement, it means 'outrageous'. If it refers to a request or a call, it means 'not heard'. If it serves to describe a quality, it means 'extreme' or 'unprecedented'.
Sein Verhalten war eine unerhörte Provokation. (empörend)
His behavior was an outrageous provocation. (outrageous)
In the meaning 'scandalous', 'unerhört' (outrageous) is often combined with nouns like 'Frechheit' (impudence), 'Vorwurf' (accusation), 'Forderung' (demand), or 'Verhalten' (behavior). It can also stand alone as an exclamation of outrage.
Das ist eine unerhörte Unterstellung!
That is an outrageous insinuation!
In this meaning, 'unerhört' (extraordinary) serves as a strong intensifier for a noun and can describe both positive and negative qualities. It emphasizes the exceptional degree.
Er hatte ein unerhörtes Glück im Spiel.
He had extraordinary luck in the game.
incredible
Unglaublich and unerhört can strongly characterize an extreme demand. Unglaublich mainly intensifies how exceptionally high it is. Unerhört additionally expresses that the demand is judged to be outrageous or unacceptable.
Die Forderung nach 500 Euro trotz der falschen Beratung ist unerhört.
The demand for 500 euros despite the incorrect advice is outrageous.
Die Forderung nach 500 Euro für die kurze Beratung ist unglaublich hoch.
The demand for 500 euros for the brief consultation is incredibly high.
