einsam

/ˈaɪnzaːm/
adjectiveIntermediate
general

Feeling lonely or isolated, often due to lack of companionship or social interaction.

Nach dem Umzug war er oft einsam.

After moving, he often felt lonely.

Die alte Dame lebte einsam in ihrem Haus.

The old lady lived alone in her house.

💡

Can describe both emotional loneliness and physical isolation.

Collocations

sich einsam fühlento feel lonelyeinsam sterbento die aloneeinsam seinto be alone

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

einsam wie ein Wolfphrase
as lonely as a wolf

💡Pro Tip

Emotional vs. Physical

While 'einsam' can describe physical solitude, it often carries emotional weight, unlike 'allein' which is more neutral.

Gold Rule

Context Matters

In German, 'einsam' is more about emotional loneliness, while 'allein' is more about being physically alone.

📖Word Origin

From Middle High German 'einzam', from 'ein' (one) + '-sam' (suffix indicating state). Literally 'one-ish' or 'alone-ish'.

📝Usage Notes

Often used to describe emotional states rather than just physical solitude. Can be used both literally and metaphorically.

Word Breakdown

ein
one
root
+
-sam
state of being
suffix
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