gedankenlos
thoughtless
Without thinking about the consequences or the effect on others; inconsiderate and often careless.
EXAMPLE
Seine gedankenlose Bemerkung verletzte sie sehr.
His thoughtless remark hurt her deeply.
gedankenlos
thoughtless / absent-minded
gedankenlos – gedankenloser – am gedankenlosesten
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Meanings
gedankenlos
absent-minded
Without sufficient attention or concentration; not consciously paying attention to one's own actions.
EXAMPLE
Er ging gedankenlos über die Straße und bemerkte die rote Ampel nicht.
He crossed the street absent-mindedly and did not notice the red light.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry gedankenlos, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | gedankenlos |
|---|---|
| comparative | gedankenloser |
| superlative | am gedankenlosesten |
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 gedankenlos.
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 gedankenlos.
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 gedankenlos.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Gedankenlos' (thoughtless) is made up of 'Gedanken' (thoughts) and '-los' (-less). The ending '-los' indicates that something is missing; literally, the word therefore means 'without thoughts' or 'without thinking'.
EXAMPLE
Eine gedankenlose Handlung kann später große Probleme verursachen.
A thoughtless action can cause major problems later.
Context clue
A thoughtless remark or action usually involves a lack of consideration for others. With thoughtless walking, driving, or acting, on the other hand, the focus is on a lack of attention to one's own situation.
EXAMPLE
Sein gedankenloses Verhalten hat die Gastgeber verärgert.
His thoughtless behavior annoyed the hosts.
Sie fuhr gedankenlos los und vergaß, den Sicherheitsgurt anzulegen.
She drove off absent-mindedly and forgot to fasten her seat belt.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'without consideration for others', 'gedankenlos' (thoughtless) often occurs with statements and actions, for example 'eine gedankenlose Bemerkung' (a thoughtless remark), 'eine gedankenlose Äußerung' (a thoughtless comment), or 'ein gedankenloses Verhalten' (thoughtless behavior).
EXAMPLE
Mit seinem gedankenlosen Kommentar brachte er seinen Kollegen in eine unangenehme Situation.
With his thoughtless comment, he put his colleague in an awkward situation.
In real life
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