German word

charakteristisch

Pronunciation

IPA/kaʁaktəˈʁɪstɪʃ/

Meaning

  • adjectivedistinctive

Example

Sein charakteristisches Lachen erkennt man sofort.

His distinctive laugh is immediately recognizable.

Illustration for charakteristisch (distinctive)

More examples

Die gelbe Färbung ist charakteristisch für diesen Käse.

The yellow coloring is distinctive of this cheese.

Core concept

A recurring, recognizable mark that reveals what something is like.

Common phrases

  • charakteristisch für

    distinctive of

  • charakteristisches Merkmal

    distinctive feature

  • charakteristisch wirken

    appear distinctive

Similar words

kennzeichnend: Serving as a clear identifying feature of something or someone.
typisch: Typical of a particular kind, person, place, or group.

Definition in German

Ein deutliches, typisch wiederkehrendes Merkmal, das etwas kennzeichnet.

Word origin

German charakteristisch was formed from Charakter with the suffix -istisch, ultimately tracing Charakter to Greek charaktēr, a mark or distinguishing feature.

Usage tips

  • The pattern charakteristisch für takes für with the accusative, as in charakteristisch für diese Stadt.

Other meanings

  • typicaladjective

Opposites

  • unspezifischunspecificadjective
  • charakterloswithout characteradjective

Related words

  • Charakterisierungcharacterizationnoun
  • Charakterzugpersonality traitnoun
  • charaktervollfull of characteradjective

Word lists with this word