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durchtrieben

cunning, crafty, devious

adjective doorkh-TREE-ben Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Also means

sly, wily

Usage Note

Durchtrieben describes someone whose cleverness is applied to deceptive or self-serving ends. Unlike schlau (smart), it has a distinctly negative moral colouring — a durchtriebener person is unscrupulously crafty. Often used in colloquial speech.

Examples

"Der durchtriebene Händler wusste immer, wie er Vorteile zog."

Natural Translation

The cunning trader always knew how to gain an advantage.

Literal Translation

The crafty dealer always knew how he drew advantages.

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