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solch
/zɔlç/
such
Solch eine Situation hatte ich noch nie erlebt.
I had never experienced such a situation.
formalinformal
Used to refer to something previously mentioned or known, emphasizing its kind or degree
Solch ein Verhalten ist inakzeptabel.
Such behavior is unacceptable.
Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass ich solch eine Chance bekommen würde.
I never thought I would get such a chance.
Often used with 'ein' in the singular (solch ein) or alone in the plural (solche). Declines like a determiner (solch, solches, solche, solchem, solchem, solcher).
formal
Used to introduce a clause describing a quality or state, often with 'dass'
Solch ein Glück, dass du da bist!
Such luck that you're here!
Common in exclamatory phrases.
Collocations
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Declension of 'solch'
Remember that 'solch' declines like an adjective. In the singular, it combines with the indefinite article 'ein' (e.g., 'solch ein Mann' → 'solches Mannes' in genitive). In the plural, it is simply 'solche' (e.g., 'solche Männer').
Gold Rule
When to use 'solch'
Use 'solch' to emphasize the kind or degree of something previously mentioned or known. It is stronger than 'so' and often used in formal or written contexts.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'solch', from Old High German 'solīh', from Proto-Germanic '*swalīkaz' (of such a kind), related to English 'such'.
Usage Notes
1. 'Solch' is used before a noun and declines like an adjective (e.g., 'solch ein Mann', 'solche Frau'). 2. In informal speech, 'so' is often used instead (e.g., 'so ein Mann'). 3. The plural form 'solche' is very common.
Word Breakdown
sol-
related to 'so' (as in 'so beschaffen')
root-ch
suffix forming determiners/pronouns
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