adjective
alternative, unconventional
B1
alternativ: adjective meaning “alternative” or “unconventional”. It’s gradable: comparative alternativer, superlative am alternativsten. Often describes choices, lifestyles, or approaches. Not a participle. No special preposition required; placed before nouns or after copulas. Neutral to slightly stylistic register depending on context.
Examples
Die Partei schlug alternative Maßnahmen vor, weil die bisherigen Strategien scheiterten.
The party proposed alternative measures because the previous strategies failed.
Sie lebt eher alternativ, mit viel Secondhand und wenig Konsum.
She lives rather unconventionally, with lots of secondhand items and little consumerism.
Wir brauchen eine alternative Lösung.
We need an alternative solution.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture two diverging paths; choosing the less common path is 'alternativ'.
Sounds like English 'alternative' or 'alternate'.
Notes
Can mean 'alternative' in the sense of another option or 'alternative/unconventional' when describing a lifestyle or approach.