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.
successful
'erfolgreich' and 'ergebnislos' both describe how an action, search, or conversation turns out. 'erfolgreich' means that a goal is achieved or something ends well. 'ergebnislos', on the other hand, means that in the end there is no usable result. 'ergebnislos' is especially natural with conversations, negotiations, or searches. If something does not just remain without a result, but the goal is actually achieved, 'erfolgreich' is the right choice.
Das Gespräch mit dem Vermieter blieb leider ergebnislos.
Unfortunately, the conversation with the landlord led to no result.
Die Suche nach einer neuen Wohnung war nach drei Wochen endlich erfolgreich.
After three weeks, the search for a new apartment was finally successful.