solch

German

Etymology

From Middle High German sulich, from Old High German sulīh, from Proto-Germanic *swalīkaz.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /zɔlç/, [zɔlç], [zɔʎ̞ç]
• IPA^(key): /zɔʏ̯ç/ (regional variant, especially in casual speech)
• IPA^(key): /sɔlx/, /solx/ (mainly Austro-Bavarian and Swiss)

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

  (file)

Pronoun

solch (demonstrative)

1. (demonstrative) such

   Ich habe aber solchen Hunger! ― I am so hungry!

   die Idee als solche ― the idea as such

   Ein solcher ist mir unbekannt. ― Such a one is unknown to me.

Usage notes

• When the word is preceded by ein, it is declined. When it is followed by ein, it's left undeclined.

  ein solches Auto. ― such a car

  solch ein Auto. ― such a car

• If followed by an adjective, the word can be left undeclined. The following adjective is then declined strongly (as if without an article). When the word solch is declined, the following adjective is declined weakly in singular, but in plural, the adjective can be declined as if with definite (weak declension) or indefinite (mixed declension) article.

  solch schönes Auto. ― such a beautiful car

  solch schöne Autos. ― such beautiful cars

  solches schöne Auto. ― such a beautiful car

  solche schöne(n) Autos. ― such beautiful cars

Declension

Positive forms of solch (uncomparable, no predicate)

number & gender		singular			plural
		masculine	feminine	neuter
predicative		—	—	—	—
strong declension (without article)	nominative	solcher	solche	solches	solche
	genitive	solchen	solcher	solchen	solcher
	dative	solchem	solcher	solchem	solchen
	accusative	solchen	solche	solches	solche
weak declension (with definite article)	nominative	der solche	die solche	das solche	die solchen
	genitive	des solchen	der solchen	des solchen	der solchen
	dative	dem solchen	der solchen	dem solchen	den solchen
	accusative	den solchen	die solche	das solche	die solchen
mixed declension (with indefinite article)	nominative	ein solcher	eine solche	ein solches	(keine) solchen
	genitive	eines solchen	einer solchen	eines solchen	(keiner) solchen
	dative	einem solchen	einer solchen	einem solchen	(keinen) solchen
	accusative	einen solchen	eine solche	ein solches	(keine) solchen

Further reading

• “solch” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
• “solch” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon