unsuccessful
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unsuccessful
Describes an action, search, or negotiation that leads to no outcome, success, or result.
Die stundenlange Suche nach dem vermissten Schlüssel blieb ergebnislos.
The hours-long search for the missing key remained unsuccessful.
The word is made up of 'Ergebnis' (result) and the ending '-los' (-less). The ending '-los' means 'without', so 'ergebnislos' (unsuccessful / without result) literally means 'without a result'.
Die Verhandlungen blieben leider ergebnislos.
Unfortunately, the negotiations remained unsuccessful.
'Ergebnislos' (unsuccessful) is very often used as a predicative adjective with the verb 'bleiben' (to remain) to express that an effort had no success.
Trotz intensiver Bemühungen blieb die Rettungsaktion ergebnislos.
Despite intensive efforts, the rescue operation remained unsuccessful.
This adjective often describes the failure of searches, negotiations, or efforts. Typical nouns are therefore 'Suche' (search), 'Diskussion' (discussion), 'Verhandlung' (negotiation), or 'Mühe' (effort).
Nach einer ergebnislosen Diskussion gingen alle auseinander.
After an unsuccessful discussion, everyone went their separate ways.
futile
Both words can describe a search or negotiation that is unsuccessful. Vergeblich particularly presents the effort made as having been in vain, while ergebnislos matter-of-factly states that no result was produced. If the effort is the focus, use vergeblich; for the overall outcome of a process, use ergebnislos.
Die Verhandlungen mit dem Vermieter über eine längere Frist verliefen ergebnislos.
The negotiations with the landlord for a longer deadline ended without result.
Sie verhandelte vergeblich mit dem Vermieter über eine längere Frist.
She negotiated in vain with the landlord for a longer deadline.
