noun
die Kehrseite, -n
downside
Definition & meaning
The term die Kehrseite has two primary meanings:
- The back or reverse side: This refers to the physical back side of an object, a page, or a coin. It is the side that is turned away or not immediately visible.
- The downside or flip side: Figuratively, it refers to the negative aspect, disadvantage, or shadow side of a situation, an idea, or a person's character. For example, when something has great benefits, its "Kehrseite" is the negative consequence that accompanies those benefits.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a feminine noun (die Kehrseite). It is a compound noun consisting of two parts:
- Kehr-: Derived from the verb kehren, which means "to turn" or "to sweep."
- -seite: Meaning "side."
Essentially, it describes the "turned side" or the side you see when you turn an object over.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- Rückseite (the literal back side)
- Kehrseite der Medaille (the flip side of the coin - idiom)
- Schattenseite (the shadow side/downside)
- Nachteil (disadvantage)
- Abkehr (in specific contexts referring to the side turned away)
Antonyms
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Examples
Jede Sache hat eine Kehrseite.noun
Everything has a downside.
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