einfältig
simple-minded
Not very intelligent and easily deceived; lacking critical thinking.
EXAMPLE
Es war einfältig, dem Fremden sofort zu glauben.
It was simple-minded to believe the stranger immediately.
einfältig
simple-minded / naive
einfältig – einfältiger – am einfältigsten
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Meanings
einfältig
naive
Simple and lacking much experience of the world; such a person often comes across as trusting or naive.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist ein einfältiges Mädchen und versteht die komplizierten Zusammenhänge noch nicht.
She is a naive girl and does not yet understand the complex connections.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry einfältig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | einfältig |
|---|---|
| comparative | einfältiger |
| superlative | am einfältigsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to einfältig.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to einfältig.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to einfältig.
Usage tips
Negative evaluation
'Einfältig' (simple-minded / naive) is usually a clearly negative evaluation of a person, an action, or a statement. It can therefore be hurtful when said directly to someone.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner einfältigen Bemerkung hat er die Kollegin verletzt.
He hurt his colleague with his simple-minded remark.
Style and register
'Einfältig' (simple-minded / naive) occurs especially in written, literary, or narrative texts and often has a deliberately judgmental tone there. It can also occur in conversation, but often sounds harsh or mocking.
EXAMPLE
Der Roman beschreibt den einfältigen Bauern mit viel Ironie.
The novel describes the simple-minded farmer with a great deal of irony.
Typical collocations
For the meaning of an inexperienced and trusting person, common expressions include 'ein einfältiges Gemüt' (a simple soul) and 'ein einfältiger Mensch' (a naive, simple person). Such expressions often describe an unworldly or childlike, trusting attitude.
EXAMPLE
Trotz seines einfältigen Gemüts behandelte er alle Menschen freundlich.
Despite being a simple soul, he treated everyone kindly.
In real life
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