German word

grob

Pronunciation

IPA/gʁoːp/

Meaning

  • adjectiverude

Example

Das war ein sehr grober Kommentar.

That was a very rude comment.

Illustration for grob (rude)

More examples

Er äußerte grobe Kritik, die das Team erschütterte.

He expressed rude criticism that shook the team.

Core concept

A coarse surface extends metaphorically to blunt words, inconsiderate behavior, and details treated without precision.

Common phrases

  • grobe Kritik

    rude criticism

  • grober Tonfall

    rude tone

  • grobe Ausdrucksweise

    rude wording

Similar words

unhöflich: Lacking courtesy in words or behavior toward others.
taktlos: Careless of social cues and other people's feelings.
rüde: Abrupt, harsh, and aggressive in speech or conduct.
rau: Harsh and unfriendly in tone or manner.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet etwas Raues oder Unfeines; übertragen auf Personen: rücksichtsloses oder grobes Verhalten und Ausdruck.

Word origin

The inherited Germanic adjective appears as Old High German grop and Middle High German grop, developing from physical roughness to figurative coarseness.

Usage tips

  • Grob can mean approximate in phrases such as eine grobe Schätzung, so it is not limited to rude behavior or coarse texture.

Other meanings

  • roughadjective
  • coarseadjective
  • approximateadjective

Opposites

  • respektvollrespectfuladjective
  • taktvolltactfuladjective

Related words

  • Grobheitrudenessnoun

Word lists with this word