pain-free / shameless
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pain-free
Free from physical pain; describing a state in which one feels no pain.
Dank des Medikaments war der Patient nach der Operation schnell wieder schmerzfrei.
Thanks to the medication, the patient was quickly pain-free again after the operation.
The word is composed of 'Schmerz' (pain) and the suffix '-frei' (-free). '-frei' means 'without something' and is often used to express the absence of something, as in 'zuckerfrei' (sugar-free) or 'fehlerfrei' (error-free).
Dieses Getränk ist komplett zuckerfrei.
This drink is completely sugar-free.
The meaning depends heavily on the context. In medical or physical contexts, it means 'ohne Schmerzen' (without pain). In social situations, it colloquially describes a person who has no inhibitions.
Nach der Zahnbehandlung war ich froh, endlich schmerzfrei zu sein.
After the dental treatment, I was glad to finally be pain-free.
The meaning 'hemmungslos' (uninhibited) or 'dreist' (brazen) is purely colloquial. It is often used to express surprise or annoyance at a person's behavior.
Er hat mein Essen vom Tisch genommen, ohne zu fragen. So schmerzfrei ist der.
He took my food from the table without asking. That's how shameless he is.
In the colloquial meaning, 'schmerzfrei' (shameless) is often intensified by adverbs such as 'absolut' (absolutely), 'total' (totally), or 'völlig' (completely) to emphasize the brazen behavior.
Sie hat den Chef vor allen Kollegen kritisiert, sie ist total schmerzfrei.
She criticized the boss in front of all her colleagues; she is totally shameless.
painful
'schmerzhaft' and 'schmerzfrei' are opposites when talking about physical pain. 'schmerzhaft' is used when something causes pain or hurts. 'Schmerzfrei' describes the state of someone having no pain. The words fit especially well in medical situations, for example after treatment, surgery, or an injury. The important point is: 'schmerzhaft' often describes the action or experience, while 'schmerzfrei' more often describes the state afterward or in general.
Nach zwei Wochen Therapie kann Paul wieder schmerzfrei laufen.
After two weeks of therapy, Paul can walk pain-free again.
Das Bewegen des Arms ist nach dem Sturz noch schmerzhaft.
Moving the arm is still painful after the fall.