gefühllos
numb
Unable to feel physical sensations, especially because a part of the body is numb or has lost sensation.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Verletzung war sein linker Fuß völlig gefühllos.
After the injury, his left foot was completely numb.
gefühllos
numb / insensitive
gefühllos – gefühlloser – am gefühllosesten
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Meanings
gefühllos
insensitive
Lacking compassion or human empathy; disregarding other people and their feelings.
EXAMPLE
Seine gefühllose Reaktion auf die traurige Nachricht verletzte alle.
His insensitive reaction to the sad news hurt everyone.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry gefühllos, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | gefühllos |
|---|---|
| comparative | gefühlloser |
| superlative | am gefühllosesten |
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 gefühllos.
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 gefühllos.
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 gefühllos.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Gefühllos' (numb / insensitive) is made up of 'Gefühl' (feeling) and '-los' (-less). The ending '-los' shows that something is missing; depending on the context, it refers to a lack of physical sensation or human empathy.
EXAMPLE
Wie kann man nur so gefühllos sein?
How can anyone be so insensitive?
Context clue
Body parts or references to sensations usually point to the physical meaning. Words such as 'Reaktion' (reaction), 'Bemerkung' (remark), or 'Verhalten' (behavior) usually indicate the interpersonal meaning.
EXAMPLE
Seine gefühllose Bemerkung machte die schwierige Situation noch schlimmer.
His insensitive remark made the difficult situation even worse.
Typical collocations
In its physical meaning, 'gefühllos' (numb) often appears with body parts, for example a hand, foot, leg, or arm. Details such as 'plötzlich' (suddenly) or 'stundenlang' (for hours) also often fit this use.
EXAMPLE
Plötzlich wurde ihr linker Arm gefühllos.
Suddenly, her left arm went numb.
Typical collocations
In its interpersonal meaning, 'gefühllos' (insensitive) often describes a reaction, remark, reply, or behavior. The adjective evaluates how someone deals with other people's feelings.
EXAMPLE
Die gefühllose Antwort des Arztes machte die Angehörigen wütend.
The doctor's insensitive reply made the family members angry.
In real life
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