German Conversation · Level 8
90 words
German word
fremd
Pronunciation
IPA/fʁɛmt/
Meaning
- adjectiveunfamiliar
Example
Das fremde Wort verstehe ich nicht.
I don't understand the unfamiliar word.
More examples
Heute spreche ich mit fremden Leuten.
Today I am speaking with unfamiliar people.
Core concept
A person, place, or thing stands outside the familiar circle, whether merely unknown, not yet habitual, or from another country.
Common phrases
ein fremdes Gesicht
an unfamiliar face
mit fremden Leuten sprechen
speak with unfamiliar people
Similar words
unbekannt: Not previously known, encountered, or recognized.
ungewohnt: Unfamiliar because it has not become habitual or comfortable.
ausländisch: Coming from or relating to a foreign country.
seltsam: Different from what is normal and therefore strange.
Definition in German
Nicht bekannt oder nicht vertraut; etwas, das man nicht kennt oder an das man nicht gewöhnt ist.
Word origin
Fremd is an inherited Germanic adjective, recorded as Old High German fremidi and Middle High German vremde, originally referring to what came from outside.
Usage tips
- In the phrase "jemandem fremd sein," the person is in the dative, as in "Das ist mir fremd" for "That is unfamiliar to me."
Other meanings
- unaccustomedadjective
- foreignadjective
- strangeadjective
Opposites
- einheimischlocaladjective
Related words
- Fremdenführertour guidenoun
- Fremdestrangernoun