creepy / very
unheimlich – unheimlicher – am unheimlichsten
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creepy
Causing a feeling of slight horror, fear, or unease; frightening in a mysterious way.
Es war unheimlich still im Wald, man hörte nicht einmal einen Vogel.
It was creepily quiet in the forest; you couldn't even hear a bird.
very
Colloquially used as an adverb for emphasis, meaning 'very', 'extraordinarily', or 'extremely'.
Das Konzert gestern war unheimlich gut!
The concert yesterday was really good!
| basic form | unheimlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | unheimlicher |
| superlative | am unheimlichsten |
| 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 unheimlich.
| 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 unheimlich.
| 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 unheimlich.
'Unheimlich' (creepy/very) is made up of 'un-' (not), 'Heim' (home), and '-lich'. The literal meaning is therefore 'not like home', 'unfamiliar'. From this developed the modern meaning 'creepy' or 'unsettling'.
In dem alten Haus herrschte eine unheimliche Atmosphäre.
There was a creepy atmosphere in the old house.
The meaning of 'unheimlich' depends on its function in the sentence. If it describes a noun, it means 'creepy'. If it comes before another adjective or verb to intensify it, it colloquially means 'very' or 'extremely'.
Plötzlich hörte ich ein unheimliches Geräusch aus dem Keller.
Suddenly I heard a creepy noise from the basement.
The use of 'unheimlich' as an intensifier meaning 'very' is typical of spoken language and informal style. It is used less often in formal or written texts.
Ich habe mich unheimlich über dein Geschenk gefreut!
I was really happy about your gift!
incredible
In colloquial language, unglaublich and unheimlich can both intensify a statement in the sense of “very.” Unglaublich often sounds amazed, while unheimlich can additionally have a slightly uneasy tone, though it does not have to.
Die Aussicht vom hohen Turm war unheimlich schön, obwohl mir die Höhe etwas Angst machte.
The view from the tall tower was incredibly beautiful, although the height made me a little afraid.
Die Aussicht vom hohen Turm war unglaublich schön.
The view from the tall tower was incredibly beautiful.
