hoffnungslos
hopeless
Describes a situation, person, or condition in which there is no prospect of improvement or success.
EXAMPLE
Die Lage der eingeschlossenen Bergleute schien hoffnungslos.
The situation of the trapped miners seemed hopeless.
hoffnungslos
hopeless
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Meanings
hoffnungslos
hopeless
Colloquially, extremely bad, incapable, or untalented at a particular activity. Often used in the phrase 'ein hoffnungsloser Fall' (a hopeless case).
EXAMPLE
Was das Tanzen angeht, bin ich ein hoffnungsloser Fall.
When it comes to dancing, I'm a hopeless case.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is composed of 'Hoffnung' (hope) and the ending '-los' (-less). The ending '-los' means 'without', so 'hoffnungslos' literally means 'without hope'. You can also find this pattern in words like 'hilflos' (helpless) or 'sinnlos' (pointless).
EXAMPLE
Nach stundenlanger Suche war die Situation hoffnungslos.
After hours of searching, the situation was hopeless.
Use in a sentence
'Hoffnungslos' can stand as an adjective before a noun or be used with verbs such as 'sein' (to be), 'scheinen' (to seem), or 'wirken' (to appear). In both cases, it describes a state with no prospect of success.
EXAMPLE
Das war ein hoffnungsloser Versuch, das Auto zu starten.
That was a hopeless attempt to start the car.
Typical collocations
In its main meaning, 'hoffnungslos' is often combined with abstract nouns that describe a difficult situation. Typical collocations are 'eine hoffnungslose Situation' (a hopeless situation), 'ein hoffnungsloser Kampf' (a hopeless fight), or 'ein hoffnungsloser Zustand' (a hopeless condition).
EXAMPLE
Die Ärzte kämpften einen hoffnungslosen Kampf gegen die Krankheit.
The doctors fought a hopeless fight against the disease.
Fixed expression
The colloquial phrase 'ein hoffnungsloser Fall sein' (to be a hopeless case) describes a person who is extremely untalented or incorrigible in a particular matter. It is often used with a wink.
EXAMPLE
Wenn es um Technik geht, bin ich ein hoffnungsloser Fall.
When it comes to technology, I'm a hopeless case.
Colloquial use
Colloquially, 'hoffnungslos' can also intensify a quality, often in an affectionate, ironic way. Typical examples are 'ein hoffnungsloser Romantiker' (a hopeless romantic) or 'ein hoffnungsloser Optimist' (a hopeless optimist).
EXAMPLE
Er glaubt immer an das Gute im Menschen, er ist ein hoffnungsloser Optimist.
He always believes in the good in people; he's a hopeless optimist.
Compare with
hoffnungslos vs verzweifelt
desperate
Both words can describe a person or a difficult situation with no hope. “Verzweifelt” focuses more on the distress actively felt by the person. “Hoffnungslos” more strongly indicates that there is no prospect of improvement or success; depending on the perspective, either word may be possible.
hoffnungslos
Nach vielen erfolglosen Bewerbungen erschien ihre Suche nach einer Stelle hoffnungslos.
After many unsuccessful job applications, her search for a job seemed hopeless.
verzweifelt
Nach vielen erfolglosen Bewerbungen war sie verzweifelt und wusste nicht mehr, was sie tun sollte.
After many unsuccessful job applications, she was desperate and no longer knew what to do.
In real life
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