A2Education

Kuriosum

curiosity, oddity, peculiar item

In German

Kuriosum

koo-ree-OH-zoom

Don't Get Confused!

Looks like

curiosity

In English means: "a strong desire to know or learn something; a strange or unusual object or fact"

Actually means

Kuriosum

curiosity, oddity, peculiar item

Memory TipA German 'Kuriosum' is the *object* of 'curiosity', an 'oddity'. English 'curiosity' can also mean the *desire* to know. Think 'Kuriosum' is the 'curious item', not the 'curious feeling'.

Example Sentences

1
Dieses alte Manuskript ist ein echtes Kuriosum der Literaturgeschichte.
This old manuscript is a real curiosity of literary history.
2
Die Entdeckung war ein wissenschaftliches Kuriosum.
The discovery was a scientific oddity.

FAQ

How do you say "curiosity, oddity, peculiar item" in German?

"curiosity, oddity, peculiar item" in German is "Kuriosum" (koo-ree-OH-zoom). Example: Dieses alte Manuskript ist ein echtes Kuriosum der Literaturgeschichte..

specimen, preparation (e.g., in a lab), compound, medication

Präparat

pre-pah-RAHT

Vulgar, coarse, common (in a negative sense)

ordinär

or-dee-NÄR

pathos, passion, strong emotion (often negative connotation in German)

Pathos

PAH-tos

physics (the scientific discipline)

Physik

fee-ZEEK