grämlich

fretful, peevishly gloomy, care-worn

adjective GREM-likh Rare

Usage Note

grämlich paints a person as habitually joyless, given to brooding or petty complaints. It derives from Gram (grief, sorrow) and is somewhat literary; common in characterisation of grumpy elderly figures, but not exclusively.

Examples

"Er wirkte grämlich und abweisend, als hätte ihn das Leben enttäuscht."

Natural Translation

He seemed peevishly gloomy and standoffish, as if life had disappointed him.

Literal Translation

He seemed fretful and repelling, as if him the life had disappointed.

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