counterproductive
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counterproductive
Working against an intention or goal; producing the opposite of the desired or intended effect.
Die Mitarbeiter ständig zu kontrollieren, war kontraproduktiv und zerstörte jegliches Vertrauen.
Constantly monitoring the employees was counterproductive and destroyed all trust.
The word is composed of the Latin prefix 'kontra' (against) and the word 'produktiv' (productive). So something is 'kontraproduktiv' (counterproductive) when it works 'against productivity' or against the actual goal.
Ohne Plan zu arbeiten, erwies sich als kontraproduktiv.
Working without a plan proved to be counterproductive.
This adjective often describes abstract nouns. Common combinations are 'kontraproduktives Verhalten' (counterproductive behavior), 'eine kontraproduktive Maßnahme' (a counterproductive measure), or 'eine kontraproduktive Diskussion' (a counterproductive discussion).
Die neue Regel war für die Motivation der Mitarbeiter kontraproduktiv.
The new rule was counterproductive for the employees' motivation.
'Kontraproduktiv' can stand before a noun or be used with verbs like 'sein' (to be), 'wirken' (to seem/have an effect), or 'erscheinen' (to appear) to describe a state.
Das war eine kontraproduktive Entscheidung.
That was a counterproductive decision.
The word 'kontraproduktiv' belongs more to formal language. It is often used in professional, political, or academic discussions.
In der Besprechung wurde analysiert, warum die bisherige Strategie kontraproduktiv war.
In the meeting, they analyzed why the previous strategy had been counterproductive.
harmful
Both words describe a negative consequence of an action or decision. „Schädlich“ emphasizes the resulting damage, while „kontraproduktiv“ highlights that something works against one’s own goal. When a measure does not lead to the desired result, „kontraproduktiv“ is the more precise choice; damage may also be involved.
Die aggressive Werbung ist kontraproduktiv, weil sie neue Kunden abschrecken soll.
The aggressive advertising is counterproductive because it is intended to deter new customers.
Die aggressive Werbung ist schädlich für den Ruf des Unternehmens.
The aggressive advertising is harmful to the company's reputation.
