liable / adhesive
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liable
Legally responsible for damage, loss, or a debt that has occurred and required to pay for it or make good on it.
Der Geschäftsführer kann für die Schulden des Unternehmens persönlich haftbar gemacht werden.
The managing director can be held personally liable for the company's debts.
adhesive
Having the property of adhering or sticking to a surface.
Die neue Beschichtung ist auf fast allen Materialien gut haftbar.
The new coating adheres well to almost all materials.
The adjective 'haftbar' (liable/adhesive) is derived from the verb 'haften'. 'Haften' can mean both 'to be legally responsible' and 'to stick', just like the adjective.
Eltern haften für ihre Kinder.
Parents are liable for their children.
The legal meaning is by far the most common. It is used in legal and business contexts. The meaning 'klebend' (adhesive/sticky) is very rare and more technical.
Bei einem Unfall ist der Verursacher für den Schaden haftbar.
In an accident, the person responsible is liable for the damage.
The most important construction is 'für etwas haftbar sein' (to be liable for something) or 'jemanden für etwas haftbar machen' (to hold someone liable for something). The preposition 'für' (for) with the accusative is fixed here.
Man kann ihn für den finanziellen Verlust nicht haftbar machen.
You can't hold him liable for the financial loss.
responsible
When damage has occurred, „verantwortlich“ can identify the cause. „Haftbar“ goes further in this context and means that someone is legally required to pay for the damage. Use „verantwortlich“ when the focus is on the cause, and „haftbar“ when the specific legal payment obligation is meant.
Der Eigentümer ist für den entstandenen Schaden haftbar.
The owner is liable for the damage that occurred.
Der starke Regen war für die Überschwemmung verantwortlich.
The heavy rain was responsible for the flooding.
