incidental
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incidental
Of little meaning or importance; not central and therefore negligible.
Die Farbe des Autos ist nebensächlich, solange die Technik in Ordnung ist.
The color of the car is incidental as long as the technology is in good working order.
The word consists of 'neben' (next to/beside) and 'Sache' (thing/matter). It therefore describes something that stands only 'beside the main matter' and is thus less important. This derivation helps you remember the meaning.
Das Hauptthema ist klar, alles andere ist nebensächlich.
The main topic is clear; everything else is incidental.
You can use 'nebensächlich' (incidental) in two ways: as part of the predicate after a verb like 'sein' (to be), or as an adjective directly before a noun.
Für mich ist das Geld bei diesem Job nebensächlich.
For me, the money is incidental in this job.
The word is often used to describe aspects that distract from the main issue. Typical combinations are 'nebensächliche Details' (incidental details), 'eine nebensächliche Frage' (an incidental question), or 'eine nebensächliche Rolle spielen' (to play a minor role).
In der Diskussion sollten wir uns nicht mit nebensächlichen Details aufhalten.
In the discussion, we shouldn't get bogged down in incidental details.
important
'wichtig' and 'nebensächlich' both talk about what role something plays in a situation. However, they show opposite sides. 'wichtig' is used when something is central and needs to be taken into account. 'nebensächlich' is used when something is only marginally important or hardly matters compared with something else. So 'nebensächlich' does not always mean completely unimportant, but rather: it is not the main issue. If something is decisive, you say 'wichtig'; if it is only a small detail, 'nebensächlich' fits.
Im Restaurant ist die Farbe der Servietten nebensächlich.
In the restaurant, the color of the napkins is incidental.
Zu Hause ist ihr Ruhe wichtig, weil die Kinder schlafen.
At home, quiet is important to her because the children are sleeping.