disqualifizieren
to disqualify
To exclude someone from a competition, race, or exam because he or she has broken the rules.
EXAMPLE
Der Läufer wurde wegen eines Fehlstarts disqualifiziert.
The runner was disqualified because of a false start.
disqualifizieren
to disqualify
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Meanings
sich disqualifizieren
to disqualify oneself
To prove oneself unsuitable or incapable for a particular task, position, or role.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser unüberlegten Äußerung hat er sich für das Amt des Sprechers disqualifiziert.
With this thoughtless remark, he disqualified himself for the office of spokesperson.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of the negative prefix 'dis-' and the verb 'qualifizieren' (to qualify). So it literally means to deny someone a qualification or declare it invalid.
EXAMPLE
Durch sein unsportliches Verhalten hat er sich selbst für den Sieg disqualifiziert.
Through his unsportsmanlike behavior, he disqualified himself from winning.
Sentence structure and use
The structure is often: someone (subject) disqualifies someone (accusative) for a reason (genitive or 'wegen' + dative) from a competition (dative).
EXAMPLE
Die Jury disqualifizierte die Athletin wegen eines Dopingvergehens vom Wettkampf.
The jury disqualified the athlete from the competition because of a doping violation.
Reflexive use
When someone makes themselves unsuitable, the verb is used reflexively with 'sich' (oneself). The position or task for which someone disqualifies themselves is connected with the preposition 'für' (+ accusative).
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker hat sich mit seinen Lügen für jedes öffentliche Amt disqualifiziert.
The politician disqualified himself from every public office with his lies.
Context clue
The reflexive pronoun 'sich' (oneself) is a clear signal that the figurative meaning is intended: a person proves unsuitable through their own behavior, not through a rule violation in sports.
EXAMPLE
Wer so unzuverlässig ist, disqualifiziert sich für eine Führungsposition.
Anyone who is that unreliable disqualifies themselves for a leadership position.
Compare with
disqualifizieren vs ausschließen
to exclude / rule out
Both verbs can mean keeping someone out of a competition, race, or exam. Disqualifizieren is used specifically when a rule violation or lack of eligibility is the reason; ausschließen is more general. Therefore, disqualifizieren is more precise for a penalty due to a rule violation.
disqualifizieren
Die Jury disqualifizierte den Teilnehmer, weil er die vorgeschriebene Strecke abgekürzt hatte.
The jury disqualified the participant because he had taken a shortcut on the prescribed course.
ausschließen
Die Jury schloss den Teilnehmer vom Rennen aus, weil sein Name nicht auf der Liste stand.
The jury excluded the participant from the race because his name was not on the list.
In real life
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