merkwürdige

Merkwürdige is a German adjective meaning noteworthy or remarkable, and in colloquial use also odd or peculiar. It describes things that stand out from the ordinary, such as events, objects, or behavior. The base form merkwürdig is often rendered as “remarkable” or “peculiar” in English, depending on context.

Etymology and grammar: Merkwürdige derives from merkwürdig (worthy of notice) itself from merken “to notice” and würdig “worthy.” In modern German, the adjective is inflected to agree with gender, number, and case (for example, ein merkwürdiges Ereignis). When written with capital initial, Merkwürdige can function as a noun meaning “the remarkable/peculiar ones,” as in die Merkwürdigen. The plural form is uncommon outside literary or descriptive contexts.

Usage and nuance: The sense ranges from neutral “noteworthy” to evaluative “peculiar” or “strange,” with tone determined by context and accompanying language. Examples include: “Es war ein merkwürdiges Ereignis” (“It was a remarkable/peculiar event”) and “merkwürdige Beobachtungen” (“noteworthy observations”). In English translations, the choice between “remarkable,” “notable,” or “peculiar” reflects the nuance intended by the author.

Related terms: bemerkenswert (remarkable), eigenartig (odd/peculiar), sonderbar (strange), Merkwürdigkeit (the quality of being noteworthy or peculiar). The word is common in literary, journalistic, and everyday German to flag things worth noticing or to highlight unusual characteristics.