verkehrt
upside down
The wrong way around, turned over, or oriented in the wrong direction.
EXAMPLE
Du hast dein T-Shirt verkehrt herum angezogen, das Etikett ist außen.
You put your T-shirt on inside out; the label is on the outside.
verkehrt
wrong / upside down
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
verkehrt
wrong
Wrong, inappropriate, or not in line with the norm. Refers to actions, opinions, or statements.
EXAMPLE
Es ist völlig verkehrt zu glauben, dass man ohne Anstrengung Erfolg haben kann.
It is completely wrong to believe that you can succeed without effort.
verkehrt
strange
Odd, strange, or deviating from the normal way, often with a negative connotation.
EXAMPLE
Er hat manchmal ganz verkehrte Ansichten, die niemand nachvollziehen kann.
He sometimes has really strange views that no one can understand.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Verkehrt' (wrong; upside down) is the past participle of the verb 'verkehren'. The base verb 'kehren' means 'to turn' or 'to rotate'. The prefix 'ver-' here indicates that something has been turned the wrong way or in the wrong direction.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto musste auf der engen Straße verkehren.
The car had to turn around on the narrow street.
Context clue
If 'verkehrt' refers to the orientation of a physical object, it means 'the wrong way around'. If it refers to an idea, an action, or a situation, it means 'wrong' or 'inappropriate' in a figurative sense.
EXAMPLE
Du hältst das Buch verkehrt.
You're holding the book the wrong way around.
Fixed combination
In the meaning 'the wrong way around', 'verkehrt' is very often used in the fixed combination 'verkehrt herum' (the wrong way around; upside down). This expression functions like an adverb.
EXAMPLE
Die Batterien sind verkehrt herum in der Fernbedienung.
The batteries are the wrong way around in the remote control.
Fixed expression
The expression 'die verkehrte Welt' (the world turned upside down) describes a situation in which everything is illogical or the opposite of what would be normal and right.
EXAMPLE
Kinder bringen den Eltern etwas bei? Das ist ja die verkehrte Welt!
Children teaching their parents something? That's the world turned upside down!
Compare with
verkehrt vs falsch
wrong / false
Both words can be used for an inappropriate decision. „Falsch“ assesses it more objectively as incorrect or unsuitable. „Verkehrt“ often sounds more colloquial and emphasizes misguidedness or inappropriate action more strongly. Choose „falsch“ neutrally and „verkehrt“ when you want to add this nuance.
verkehrt
Es war verkehrt, den wichtigen Termin ohne Bescheid zu verschieben.
It was wrong to reschedule the important appointment without telling anyone.
falsch
Es war falsch, den wichtigen Termin ohne Bescheid zu verschieben.
It was wrong to reschedule the important appointment without telling anyone.
In real life
Loading video examples...