anstößige

Anstößig is a German adjective meaning offensive, indecent, or shocking to decency. It is used to describe remarks, behavior, or content that violates prevailing social or moral norms. The related noun form is Anstößigkeit, signifying offensiveness or incivility.

The word derives from the prefix an- plus stößig, from stößen (to push or strike), with Anstoß meaning offense or affront. The suffix -ig forms adjectives, and anstößig is declined like other adjectives in German. For example: anstößige Inhalte (offensive content, plural), eine anstößige Bemerkung (an offensive remark, feminine singular), ein anstößiger Kommentar (an offensive comment, masculine singular).

Common usages include a range of remarks, jokes, or materials considered impudent or inappropriate. Typical collocations are anstößige Bemerkung, anstößige Witze, and anstößige Inhalte. The term often appears in formal, media-related, or regulatory contexts, where it characterizes material that may violate standards of decency or suitability for certain audiences.

In regulatory and media discussions, anstößige Inhalte are contrasted with permissible content, especially in discussions about youth protection, censorship, and platform moderation. German-language institutions and legal texts may use the phrase to denote content that warrants restrictions, warnings, or removal to prevent harm or offense to viewers or readers.

See also: Anstoß, Anstößigkeit, anstößige Sprache, obscenity. The term is primarily used in German; English equivalents include offensive, obscene, or indecent, depending on context.