Breakdown of Jeder Mensch hat eine kleine Macke.
ein
a, an (eine)
klein
small
haben
to have
der Mensch
the human, person
Questions & Answers about Jeder Mensch hat eine kleine Macke.
What exactly is a Macke?
Die Macke is a very common colloquial word. When applied to a person, it means a "quirk," "eccentricity," or "bad habit." When applied to an object, it literally means a "dent," "scratch," or "flaw" (for example, if you drop your phone, it might get a Macke).
Why does the sentence use Jeder Mensch instead of just Jeder or Alle to say "everyone"?
While Jeder hat eine kleine Macke or Alle haben eine kleine Macke are perfectly correct, adding Mensch emphasizes the shared human experience. It translates more closely to "Every human being" and sounds a bit more empathetic and universal than just saying "everyone."
Is saying someone has a Macke considered offensive?
It depends entirely on the context and the tone. In this sentence, adding kleine makes it affectionate and relatable. However, if you angrily tell someone Du hast wohl eine Macke!, it translates to "You must have a screw loose!" and is definitely an insult.