void / insignificant
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void
Describes something that is legally invalid or without effect from the beginning. This term is frequently used in legal contexts.
Der Vertrag wurde für nichtig erklärt, weil eine Unterschrift fehlte.
The contract was declared void because a signature was missing.
insignificant
Describes something that is insignificant, trivial, or worthless, often in a philosophical or elevated sense.
Angesichts der Unendlichkeit des Universums erscheinen unsere Sorgen plötzlich nichtig.
In view of the infinity of the universe, our worries suddenly seem insignificant.
to feel insignificant
The feeling of being small, insignificant, or worthless, often as a reaction to an overwhelming situation or criticism.
Nach der ungerechtfertigten Kritik fühlte er sich klein und nichtig.
After the unjustified criticism, he felt small and insignificant.
The adjective 'nichtig' (void/insignificant) derives directly from the word 'nichts' (nothing). It describes something that is basically 'like nothing'—that is, either has no legal validity or no significance.
Ohne die Zustimmung des Vorstands ist der Beschluss nichtig.
Without the approval of the board, the decision is void.
The context reveals the meaning: In legal or official texts about contracts, laws, or decisions, 'nichtig' (void/invalid) always means 'ungültig' (invalid). In philosophical or emotional contexts, it means 'unbedeutend' (insignificant) or 'belanglos' (trivial).
Ein Formfehler machte den gesamten Vertrag nichtig.
A formal error made the entire contract void.
In legal contexts, 'nichtig' (void) is very often used in the fixed expression 'für nichtig erklären' (to declare void). This means that an official authority establishes that something is invalid.
Das Gericht erklärte die Wahl aufgrund von Unregelmäßigkeiten für nichtig.
The court declared the election void due to irregularities.
To express the feeling of one's own insignificance, the reflexive construction 'sich nichtig fühlen' (to feel insignificant) is used. The person who has this feeling is the subject of the sentence.
Nachdem er seinen Job verloren hatte, fühlte er sich eine Zeit lang völlig nichtig.
After he lost his job, he felt completely insignificant for a while.
invalid
Ungültig is a general term for a contract that is not legally or formally valid. Nichtig is a legal term that more precisely means that the contract was legally invalid or without effect from the beginning. In everyday conversation, ungültig is therefore often appropriate, while in a legal context, nichtig is used.
Im juristischen Gutachten wird der Vertrag wegen des Formfehlers als von Anfang an nichtig bezeichnet.
The legal opinion describes the contract as void from the beginning because of the formal error.
Die Kundin sagt, der Vertrag sei wegen des Formfehlers ungültig.
The customer says that the contract is invalid because of the formal error.
