German word

kurios

Pronunciation

IPA/kuˈʁi̯oːs/

Meaning

  • adjectivestrange

Example

Das ist ein kurioser Fall.

This is a strange case.

Illustration for kurios (strange)

More examples

Bei der Recherche stieß ich auf einen kuriosen Fehler.

During my research, I came across a strange error.

Core concept

A noticeable odd detail makes an otherwise ordinary situation stand out.

Common phrases

  • ein kurioser Zufall

    a strange coincidence

  • eine kuriose Situation

    a strange situation

  • eine kuriose Anekdote

    a strange anecdote

Similar words

seltsam: Not typical and likely to seem strange or puzzling.
komisch: Odd in a way that feels out of place and draws attention.
ungewöhnlich: Different from what is usual and relatively rare.

Definition in German

Ungewöhnlich oder sonderbar, so dass es auffällt; oft für Fälle, Zufälle oder Beobachtungen verwendet.

Word origin

The adjective kurios is borrowed from Latin curiosus, which meant inquisitive, attentive, or careful before German developed its sense of something strange or odd.

Usage tips

  • English curious usually means eager to know, whereas German kurios usually describes an odd situation, case, coincidence, or observation.

Other meanings

  • funnyadjective
  • unusualadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Kuriositätodditynoun
  • kurioserweisestrangelyadverb

Word lists with this word