question for the German speakers

Scarlet

What does "chic" mean to you when you speak German? Is it more like a compliment or more like someone is trying too hard/being aspirational or something? In English I would say it is a high compliment to say someone looks chic, but I have the feeling it is not quite the same in German.

12 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I am not a German speaker, but the Swiss exchange student we had living with us last year laughed when he saw the BCBG store downtown. He said in French, that's a way of saying someone is trying too hard.

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

That's interesting!

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I had to think about this for a moment and I just asked my mum what she is thinking about when someone uses 'schick'. She told me she would take it 100% positive, like a real compliment. My connotation was a little bit more mixed. I think it depends on the generation you're coming from. It's one of these words like 'klasse', 'toll' and 'spitze' that were big vogue terms once and are getting a bit long in the tooth. When I hear 'schick' I not only think 'french chic', but also 'schick' like my mother and grandparents understand it. My mum uses it to compliment me when I wear a dressy outfit (or what she thinks is dressy). For her 'schick' always means dressed up a little bit, like for church on a holiday.

It's not necessarily about trying too hard, but more about maybe being a little too predictable (and boring if you have a daring style) . It's 'chic' and elegant, but in a proved and tested formula. I personally also say 'schick' to everything (not just fashion) that's nice but not worth talking about at great length. I visit my friends and say, 'Ihr habt die Küche gestrichen, schick!' or something like that.

12 years ago

Joha

Active Member

Well, I'm german and if someone would say to me "Du siehst schick aus" (You look chic) then this would definitely be a compliment. A really nice one. The meaning of the German "schick - chic" is a bit different from the English one. Its not that you are trying to hard but more that how you look is slightly "overdressed" without any negative intention meant by the speaker. Its also a just oh so slightly oldfashioned to use it.
But as always, one could use irony to change even this nice comment into an insult...

12 years ago

Joha

Active Member

@Astrid : I think you described it really well. And well *sigh* seems like I'm from the older generation too

12 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Scarlet, Ich glaub' dass es gar kein Wort fuer 'chic' auf Deutsch gibt!

I don't think there is a literal translation. To me, 'chic' means stylish!

12 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Ah yes, to work backwards, Barbara I think you are right, at least I don't know of a good word for "stylish" in German. I wasn't sure how to spell it--"shick", and I guess it is my assumption that this word comes from "chic". I suppose it probably does, but we all seem to agree it doesn't mean the same thing it does in English (and I have no idea how the French use it).

Joha and Astrid, thanks for the discussion, that clarifies it a lot for me. I think I had the right idea, but it is a word I have learned only from "feeling" and not being taught. Anyway, of course there is a backstory--I get a bit of commentary at work because I don't dress like the other women do, and I am not always quite sure how to take it.

modgl--sounds like in french it can go both ways too.

12 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Scarlet, you should continue to be your fabulous self! Let others comment - your style rocks. Your Euro-style is perfection; you always look fantastisch in every photo you post! Never settle - be yourself.

12 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Thanks for the encouragement, Barbara. I think first one woman said something in a positive way, or more like Astrid described, kind of like, oh, you are dressed up today/look nice, much like, oh I see you have painted your kitchen, nice! The next day another woman picked up on this comment from the day before in a borderline catty way, but hey, I have bigger fish to fry. Going to put one's lunch in the communal fridge can be such a gauntlet sometimes, if you let it

12 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Scarlett, having met you in real life, I can only describe you as chic in every way. In the best sense of the word. And, unlike your catty colleague, it doesn't threaten me one bit :). Go forth and be fabulous :).

12 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Oh Lynne, thank you so much for this sweet comment. You made my day. By the way, I have that little ornament from your gift bag up in my kitchen, and it makes me happy every time I see it. Naturally the chocolates are long gone

12 years ago

Category