Skip to content

bodenständig

down-to-earth, rooted

adjective BOH-den-shten-dikh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Also means

unpretentious, practically minded

Usage Note

bodenständig literally means 'standing on the ground' — used to describe someone who is practical, unpretentious, and connected to real life. It is a compliment in German culture: ein bodenständiger Mensch — a down-to-earth person. Opposite of weltfremd or abgehoben.

Examples

"Trotz seines Erfolgs blieb er bodenständig und fuhr weiterhin mit dem Bus zur Arbeit."

Natural Translation

Despite his success he remained down to earth and continued to take the bus to work.

Literal Translation

Despite his success remained he down-to-earth and drove further with the bus to work.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore German by topic