German Conversation · Level 24
90 words
German word
grotesk
Pronunciation
IPA/gʁoˈtɛsk/
Meaning
- adjectivebizarre
Example
Das ist eine groteske Szene.
This is a bizarre scene.
More examples
Das groteske Kunstwerk polarisiert das Publikum.
The bizarre work of art polarizes the audience.
Core concept
An ordinary scene twisted beyond plausibility until its exaggeration becomes funny, disturbing, or both.
Common phrases
ein groteskes Kunstwerk
a bizarre work of art
ein groteskes Missverständnis
a ridiculous misunderstanding
ein grotesker Anblick
a bizarre sight
Similar words
bizarr: Extremely strange because it departs sharply from reality or common sense.
skurril: Odd and unconventional in a way that can seem amusing.
unheimlich: Unsettlingly strange, creating a sense of unease or quiet dread.
absurd: Lacking clear logic, making the situation seem ridiculous and foolish.
Definition in German
Absurd oder übertrieben und dadurch oft unheimlich oder komisch.
Word origin
The word traces back to Italian grottesco, from grotta, 'cave', which named the bizarre ornamental forms associated with Renaissance discoveries of ancient decorations.
Usage tips
- German writes the adjective lowercase as grotesk, but the typographic noun is capitalized: die Grotesk, a sans-serif typeface.
Other meanings
- ridiculousadjective
Opposites
- normalnormaladjective
- alltäglicheverydayadjective
Related words
- Groteskegrotesquenoun
- groteskerweisebizarrelyadverb