German Conversation · Level 22
89 words
German word
einsam
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈaɪ̯nzaːm/
Meaning
- adjectivelonely
Example
In der Nacht fühlt er sich einsamer als sonst.
At night, he feels lonelier than usual.
More examples
Obwohl sie viele Leute kennt, fühlt sie sich oft einsam.
Although she knows many people, she often feels lonely.
Core concept
A person is cut off from human closeness, with loneliness present whether or not other people are nearby.
Common phrases
sich einsam fühlen
feel lonely
einsam sein
be lonely
einsam leben
live a lonely life
Similar words
allein: Being without other people, whether by choice or circumstance.
verlassen: Feeling abandoned and without anyone dependable to turn to.
isoliert: Being cut off from society and nearly all contact with others.
Definition in German
einsam bedeutet, körperlich oder seelisch allein zu sein und dabei einen Mangel an menschlicher Nähe zu empfinden.
Word origin
Einsam combines German ein, meaning 'one' or 'alone', with the suffix -sam, which forms adjectives describing a characteristic.
Usage tips
- Einsam emphasizes unwanted loneliness, whereas allein usually describes being alone without necessarily expressing emotional pain.
Other meanings
- aloneadjective
Opposites
- geselligsociableadjective
- kontaktfreudigoutgoingadjective
Related words
- Einsamkeitlonelinessnoun
- vereinsamenbecome lonelyverb