vague / expressionless
nichtssagend – nichtssagender – am nichtssagendsten
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vague
Lacking meaningful content or a clear point; conveying no useful information.
Auf die Frage nach den Ursachen gab der Minister nur eine nichtssagende Antwort.
When asked about the causes, the minister gave only a vague answer.
expressionless / nondescript
Lacking a distinctive expression or noticeable features; conveying no particular impression.
Sie hörte sich die überraschende Nachricht mit einem nichtssagenden Gesichtsausdruck an.
She listened to the surprising news with an expressionless face.
| basic form | nichtssagend |
|---|---|
| comparative | nichtssagender |
| superlative | am nichtssagendsten |
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to nichtssagend.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to nichtssagend.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to nichtssagend.
'Nichtssagend' (vague / expressionless) consists of 'nichts' (nothing) and 'sagend' (saying), a participle form of 'sagen' (to say). The combination is figurative: texts, pictures, and faces can also 'sagen' (say) something without actually speaking.
Das Foto zeigt eine nichtssagende Häuserfassade.
The photo shows a nondescript building facade.
Typical combinations include 'nichtssagende Antwort' (vague answer), 'nichtssagende Aussage' (vague statement), and 'nichtssagende Floskel' (empty phrase). The adjective expresses criticism here; even a long, detailed statement can be described as 'nichtssagend' (vague or lacking meaningful content).
Seine Erklärung war lang, bestand aber hauptsächlich aus nichtssagenden Floskeln.
His explanation was long but consisted mainly of empty phrases.
With 'Blick' (look), 'Miene' (facial expression), or 'Lächeln' (smile), 'nichtssagend' (expressionless or unreadable) often indicates that a person's feelings or thoughts cannot be discerned. Such combinations are particularly common in narratives.
Er setzte ein nichtssagendes Lächeln auf, sodass niemand wusste, ob ihm der Vorschlag gefiel.
He put on an unreadable smile, so no one knew whether he liked the suggestion.
