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noun

die Macke, -n

flaw · quirk

Definition & meaning

Macke is a feminine German noun: die Macke, plural die Macken.

It has several related meanings:

  1. A quirk, eccentric habit, or personal peculiarity
    It describes a behavior that seems unusual, annoying, or amusing.

    • Er hat eine kleine Macke. — “He has a little quirk.”
    • Ihre Macke ist, alles dreimal zu kontrollieren. — “Her quirk is checking everything three times.”

  2. A defect, flaw, or minor fault
    It can refer to something that is not working properly, especially a device or object.

    • Mein Handy hat eine Macke. — “My phone has a fault.”
    • Der alte Fernseher hat mehrere Macken. — “The old television has several defects.”

  3. A dent, chip, or damaged spot on an object

    • Der Tisch hat eine Macke. — “The table has a dent/chip.”
    • In der Tasse ist eine Macke. — “There is a chip in the cup.”

  4. A mental oddity or eccentricity
    In expressions such as einen an der Macke haben, it can suggest that someone is slightly crazy or not quite normal. This is colloquial and can sound insulting.

    • Der hat doch eine Macke! — “He’s got something wrong with him!” / “He’s nuts!”

The word is often informal and can be humorous, mildly critical, or insulting depending on context.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Gender: feminine: die Macke
  • Plural: die Macken
  • Common forms: eine Macke haben, Macken zeigen, eine Macke an etwas haben

The word is colloquial German. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it is probably connected with older German words referring to a mark, flaw, or defect. The meanings “personal quirk” and “fault” developed from the idea of a visible or noticeable imperfection.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • die Marotte — a peculiar habit or eccentricity; usually less harsh and more focused on repeated behavior.
  • der Spleen — an unusual personal obsession or eccentricity; often sounds slightly sophisticated or humorous.
  • der Tick — a compulsive or repetitive habit; often stronger than Macke.
  • die Eigenart — an individual characteristic or peculiarity; more neutral and polite.
  • der Fehler — a mistake or defect; more general and neutral when referring to objects or systems.
  • die Delle — specifically a dent in a surface; it does not normally describe a personality trait.
  • der Sprung ? — a crack, especially in glass or ceramics; it can also be used figuratively in einen Sprung haben.

Antonyms

There is no single exact antonym because Macke has several meanings.

  • die Normalität — the opposite of an unusual personal quirk.
  • die Vernunft — the opposite of irrational or eccentric behavior in some contexts.
  • die Fehlerlosigkeit — the opposite of having a defect or fault.
  • die Makellosigkeit — the opposite of having a visible blemish, dent, or chip.

Common phrases & collocations

  • eine Macke haben — to have a quirk, fault, or eccentricity
  • einen an der Macke haben — to be crazy or mentally odd; colloquial and potentially insulting
  • eine kleine Macke — a minor quirk or harmless peculiarity
  • eine Macke bekommen — to develop a fault or, informally, to become mentally upset or eccentric
  • Macken zeigen — to show faults, defects, or eccentric behavior
  • eine Macke im Lack — a chip or damaged spot in paintwork

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Examples

Der Fernseher hat eine kleine Macke.noun

The TV has a small flaw.

Jeder Mensch hat seine eigenen Macken, die ihn besonders machen.noun

Every person has their own quirks that make them special.

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