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geschmacklos
tasteless
Lacking good taste; perceived as inappropriate, hurtful, or lacking style.
example
Sein Witz auf der Beerdigung war absolut geschmacklos.
His joke at the funeral was absolutely tasteless.
geschmacklos
tasteless
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word formation with -los
The word consists of 'der Geschmack' (taste/flavor) and the ending '-los', which means 'without'. 'Geschmacklos' (tasteless/flavorless) therefore literally means 'without taste', which explains both meanings.
EXAMPLE
Sein Einrichtungsstil ist leider völlig geschmacklos.
Unfortunately, his interior design style is completely tasteless.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear: If the word refers to food or drink, it means 'fade' (bland/flavorless) (m02). If it refers to jokes, clothing, behavior, or comments, it means 'stillos' (lacking style) or 'unangebracht' (inappropriate) (m01).
EXAMPLE
Sein Kommentar über ihr Kleid war wirklich geschmacklos.
His comment about her dress was really tasteless.
Typical collocations (lacking style)
In the meaning 'stillos' (lacking style), 'geschmacklos' (tasteless) often describes human behavior or creations. Typical examples are: a 'geschmackloser Witz' (tasteless joke), 'geschmacklose Kleidung' (tasteless clothing), or 'geschmackloses Benehmen' (tasteless behavior).
EXAMPLE
Er ist bekannt für seine geschmacklosen Witze.
He is known for his tasteless jokes.
Typical collocations (bland)
In the meaning 'fade' (bland/flavorless), 'geschmacklos' (flavorless) is used exclusively for food and drinks. Typical examples are 'geschmacklose Suppe' (flavorless soup), 'geschmackloses Gemüse' (flavorless vegetables), or 'geschmackloses Wasser' (flavorless water).
EXAMPLE
Das Krankenhausessen war leider ziemlich geschmacklos.
Unfortunately, the hospital food was pretty flavorless.
Compare with
geschmacklos vs billig
cheap
'billig' and 'geschmacklos' can both say something negative about behavior, jokes, or style. In this meaning, 'billig' often means that something seems lowbrow, simplistic, or embarrassing. 'geschmacklos' puts more emphasis on something being inappropriate, lacking style, or even hurtful. For a bad joke, both can fit, but 'geschmacklos' is more precise when the joke hurts other people's feelings or does not fit a serious situation.
geschmacklos
Am Abend erzählt Tom einen geschmacklosen Witz über den Unfall.
That evening, Tom tells a tasteless joke about the accident.
billig
Seine billige Ausrede hat im Team niemand überzeugt.
His cheap excuse did not convince anyone on the team.
In real life
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