deterrent / off-putting
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off-putting
Having an effect that keeps someone from doing something because it seems unpleasant, frightening, or repulsive.
Die hohen Studiengebühren wirken auf viele junge Leute abschreckend.
The high tuition fees are off-putting to many young people.
'Abschreckend' (deterrent/off-putting) is the present participle of the separable verb 'abschrecken' (to deter, to scare off). This verb means to keep someone away from something through fear or discomfort (ab + schrecken). The adjective therefore describes something that has this effect.
Der Verwesungsgeruch war absolut abschreckend.
The smell of decay was absolutely off-putting.
When you want to say whom something has a deterrent or off-putting effect on, you use the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative. A very typical construction is 'etwas wirkt abschreckend auf jemanden' (something has a deterrent/off-putting effect on someone).
Die komplizierten Formulare wirken auf viele Antragsteller abschreckend.
The complicated forms are off-putting to many applicants.
A very common and useful expression is 'ein abschreckendes Beispiel' (a cautionary example). It describes a person or situation whose negative outcome is meant to keep others from making the same mistake.
Sein Scheitern diente allen als abschreckendes Beispiel.
His failure served as a cautionary example for everyone.
The legal or educational meaning can often be recognized from context. Words such as 'Strafe' (punishment), 'Gesetz' (law), 'Maßnahme' (measure), or 'Täter' (offender) indicate that the focus is on preventing undesirable behavior.
Die Regierung diskutiert über härtere Strafen mit abschreckender Wirkung.
The government is discussing harsher punishments with a deterrent effect.
exemplary
'vorbildlich' and 'abschreckend' are clear opposites. 'vorbildlich' describes something so good that others can or should imitate it. 'abschreckend' describes something so negative, unpleasant, or frightening that others would rather avoid it. Exemplary behavior therefore has a positive appeal. An off-putting example is more likely to keep people from doing something similar.
Die langen Wartezeiten im Amt wirken auf viele Besucher abschreckend.
The long waiting times at the government office are off-putting to many visitors.
Sie organisiert ihre Termine vorbildlich und kommt nie zu spät.
She organizes her appointments in an exemplary way and is never late.