German Conversation · Level 136
30 words
German word
nüchtern
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈnʏçtɐn/
Meaning
- adjectivesober
Example
Nach der Party war er noch nüchtern.
After the party, he was still sober.
More examples
Sie betrachtete die Lage mit nüchternem Blick.
She looked at the situation with a sober eye.
Core concept
A person stands back from the scene with a clear head and a plain, realistic view of the facts.
Common phrases
nüchternes Urteil
sober judgment
mit nüchternem Blick
with a sober eye
Similar words
betrunken: Affected by alcohol, with impaired judgment and coordination.
klar: Mentally alert, with clear thoughts and easy-to-follow explanations.
sachlich: Focused on facts and key points rather than emotion.
besonnen: Calm and thoughtful, avoiding impulsive actions.
Definition in German
Sachlich und realistisch; auch im Sinne von nicht betrunken.
Word origin
The adjective comes through Middle High German nüchtern from Old High German nuohturn, ultimately based on Latin nocturnus, 'nightly'.
Usage tips
- The common phrase 'nüchtern betrachtet' introduces a sober assessment and need not refer to alcohol.