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.
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.
important
'wichtig' and 'nichtig' can form an opposite pair when it comes to significance or value. 'wichtig' says that something plays a major role or must be taken seriously. 'nichtig' says that something has hardly any significance or seems worthless. In everyday language, however, 'nichtig' is much rarer and sounds elevated or very serious. In normal conversations, people often say 'unwichtig' or 'unbedeutend' instead. 'Nichtig' also has a legal meaning when something is legally invalid; that is not simply the opposite of 'wichtig'.
Nach dem großen Streit wirkten die alten kleinen Probleme plötzlich nichtig.
After the big argument, the old small problems suddenly seemed insignificant.
Für die Bewerbung ist ein vollständiger Lebenslauf besonders wichtig.
A complete résumé is especially important for the application.