German

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From (late) Middle High German besunder, from bi + sunder.

See also sonder.

Pronunciation

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  • Audio:(file)

Adjective

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besondere (strong nominative masculine singular besonderer, comparative besonderer, superlative am besondersten)

  1. special, particular, extraordinary
    Synonyms: außergewöhnlich, speziell, Sonder-
    Antonyms: normal, gewöhnlich
    Das Besondere dabei ist...The special thing about it is...

Usage notes

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The expected uninflected form "besonder" is no longer in use. It is instead replaced by besonders, both as a predicative adjective ("Er ist besonders") and as an adverb ("besonders gut").

Declension

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Further reading

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  • besondere” in Duden online
  • besondere” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
  NODES
Note 3