half-hearted
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half-hearted
Carried out without full effort, commitment, or conviction. It describes an action that is done with only half the effort or without real interest.
Sein halbherziger Versuch, sich zu entschuldigen, machte alles nur noch schlimmer.
His half-hearted attempt to apologize only made everything worse.
The word is made up of 'halb' (half) and 'Herz' (heart). A 'halbherzige' (half-hearted) action is therefore, figuratively, carried out only 'mit halbem Herzen' (with half a heart), meaning without full commitment.
Er machte nur einen halbherzigen Versuch, ihr zu helfen.
He made only a half-hearted attempt to help her.
This adjective often describes actions or their results. Typical combinations are: 'ein halbherziger Versuch' (a half-hearted attempt), 'eine halbherzige Entschuldigung' (a half-hearted apology), 'ein halbherziger Kompromiss' (a half-hearted compromise), or 'eine halbherzige Zusage' (a half-hearted commitment).
Eine halbherzige Entschuldigung ist manchmal schlimmer als gar keine.
A half-hearted apology is sometimes worse than none at all.
'Halbherzig' (half-heartedly) is very often used as an adverb to describe how an action is carried out. It answers the question 'Wie?' (How?).
Die Mannschaft hat in der zweiten Halbzeit nur noch halbherzig gespielt.
In the second half, the team played only half-heartedly.
mild / lukewarm
Lau and halbherzig can both describe an unconvincing action. Lau generally emphasizes a lack of energy or enthusiasm, while halbherzig particularly refers to insufficient effort or lack of conviction. The meanings may overlap.
Seine Unterstützung für den Plan blieb halbherzig, weil er kaum Zeit dafür einsetzte.
His support for the plan remained half-hearted because he put very little time into it.
Seine Unterstützung für den Plan blieb lau und löste kaum Begeisterung aus.
His support for the plan remained lukewarm and generated little enthusiasm.
