knurrig

Knurrig is an adjective in the German language with two broad meanings. It can describe a sound or voice that is low, rough or rumbling, as in knurrige Geräusche or eine knurrige Stimme. It can also describe a person or mood, indicating gruffness, irritability, or a tendency to be short-tempered, as in eine knurrige Person oder eine knurrige Laune. In both uses, knurrig conveys a sense of roughness or heaviness, whether in sound or temperament.

In the sound sense, knurrig refers to things that produce a growling or grumbling timbre—voices, engines, or other noises that have a harsh, throaty quality. In the mood sense, knurrig characterizes someone who is easily irritated, unfriendly, or unforthcoming, often with a touch of humor or affection in conversational use. The term is more informal than strictly neutral and is frequently found in casual speech or writing.

Etymology and word formation: knurrig is derived from the verb knurren, meaning “to growl” or “to rumble.” The suffix -ig forms adjectives describing a characteristic, so knurrig literally means “having a growl-like quality.” The word has been attested in German since the Early Modern period and remains common in contemporary usage.

Usage notes: knurrig is suitable for describing humans, animals, or objects with a growling effect—either in sound or mood. It is often lighter or more humorous than stronger terms like mürrisch or grantig, and it can carry a colloquial tone depending on context.

See also: related terms like brummig, mürrisch, grantig, knurren.