German Conversation · Level 66
75 words
German word
Unsinn
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈʊnˌzɪn/
Meaning
- masculine nounnonsense
Example
Was für ein Unsinn!
What nonsense!
More examples
Er treibt oft Unsinn.
He often gets up to nonsense.
Core concept
A statement or idea swept aside because it has no sensible point.
Common phrases
so ein Unsinn
such nonsense
Unsinn treiben
get up to nonsense
Unsinn machen
do foolish things
Similar words
Quatsch: Silly jokes or made-up claims brushed off in a casual, dismissive way.
Blödsinn: Absurd, illogical ideas or actions rejected with strong disapproval.
Nonsens: Content or explanations rejected for conflicting with facts or logic.
Unfug: Troublesome or harmful pranks and conduct condemned as improper.
Definition in German
Bezeichnung für etwas Sinnloses oder Unsachliches; häufig als scharfes Urteil oder Ausruf verwendet.
Word origin
Unsinn combines the negating prefix "un-" with inherited Germanic "Sinn", meaning sense or meaning, and came to denote foolish or meaningless talk.
Usage tips
- "Der Unsinn" is masculine and usually functions as an uncountable noun, while "Was für ein Unsinn!" is a sharp exclamation rather than a neutral description.