defenseless
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defenseless
Without protection or defense; helplessly exposed to danger, an attack, or an unpleasant situation.
Die jungen Vögel waren dem Raubtier schutzlos ausgeliefert.
The young birds were defenseless against the predator.
The adjective consists of the noun 'der Schutz' (protection) and the ending '-los' (-less). The ending '-los' means 'without', so 'schutzlos' literally means 'without protection'.
Ohne seine Eltern fühlte sich das kleine Kind schutzlos.
Without his parents, the small child felt defenseless.
A very common phrase is 'jemandem/etwas (Dativ) schutzlos ausgeliefert sein' (to be helplessly/defenselessly at the mercy of someone/something). It expresses that you are facing a danger or a power helplessly.
Die Wanderer waren dem Sturm in den Bergen schutzlos ausgeliefert.
The hikers were defenseless against the storm in the mountains.
The adjective often describes vulnerable people or living beings, such as 'schutzlose Kinder' (defenseless children), 'schutzlose Tiere' (defenseless animals), or 'schutzlose Opfer' (defenseless victims).
Die Organisation kümmert sich um schutzlose Tiere.
The organization takes care of defenseless animals.
helpless
'hilflos' and 'schutzlos' can both describe a situation in which someone is exposed to danger. 'hilflos' emphasizes that someone cannot help themselves or does not know what to do. 'schutzlos' emphasizes that there is no protection, for example no safe clothing, no help, or no defense. So a person can be 'schutzlos' because they are openly exposed to danger, and at the same time also seem 'hilflos'. 'hilflos' fits more with the feeling or the lack of ability, while 'schutzlos' fits more with a lack of external safety.
Ohne Jacke war das Kind dem kalten Wind schutzlos ausgesetzt.
Without a jacket, the child was defenseless against the cold wind.
Auf der Reise war meine Freundin hilflos, weil sie die Sprache nicht verstand.
On the trip, my friend was helpless because she did not understand the language.