schmutzig
dirty
Etwas, das nicht sauber ist und mit Staub, Flecken oder Dreck bedeckt sein kann.
Definition & meaning
schmutzig is an adjective that describes something that is unclean, covered in dirt, or soiled. It is the most common German word for "dirty."
In a figurative or secondary sense, it can also describe something that is morally reprehensible, dishonest, or obscene (e.g., ein schmutziges Geschäft - a dirty/shady business).
Grammar & Word origin
The word is derived from the German noun Schmutz (dirt/filth). The suffix -ig is used to turn the noun into an adjective, indicating the possession or presence of the root quality.
Grammatically, schmutzig follows the standard rules for German adjective declension based on the gender and case of the noun it modifies. It can also be used as an adverb without any changes.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- dreckig (very common, slightly more informal)
- unrein (unclean, often used in religious or technical contexts)
- beschmutzt (soiled)
- verunreinigt (contaminated)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Seine Schuhe sind schmutzig.adjective
His shoes are dirty.
Die Fenster sehen heute besonders schmutzig aus.adjective
The windows look especially dirty today.
Wer hat das Auto so schmutzig gemacht?adjective
Who made the car so dirty?
Nach dem Regen war der Weg schmutzig.adjective
After the rain, the path was dirty.
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