pointless / senseless
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pointless
Without any recognizable meaning, purpose, or use. It describes actions or situations that are seen as unreasonable or futile.
Es ist sinnlos, bei diesem Regen ohne Schirm nach draußen zu gehen.
It's pointless to go outside in this rain without an umbrella.
unconscious
To be in a state of unconsciousness. This meaning is outdated and is only rarely used today.
Nach dem Schlag auf den Kopf sank er sinnlos zu Boden.
After the blow to the head, he sank unconscious to the ground.
The word is simply built: it consists of 'Sinn' (meaning/sense) and the suffix '-los' (without). So 'sinnlos' literally means 'without meaning/sense'.
Ein Streit über dieses Thema ist völlig sinnlos.
An argument about this topic is completely pointless.
'Sinnlos' (pointless) is very often used in the structure 'es ist sinnlos, etwas zu tun' (it is pointless to do something). This expresses that a particular action serves no purpose.
Es ist sinnlos, jetzt noch anzurufen, da das Büro schon geschlossen ist.
It's pointless to call now, since the office is already closed.
'Sinnlos' (pointless) often describes actions, discussions, or efforts. Typical combinations are 'sinnlose Gewalt' (senseless violence), 'eine sinnlose Debatte' (a pointless debate), or 'sinnlose Verschwendung' (pointless waste).
Wir sollten diese sinnlose Diskussion beenden und eine Lösung finden.
We should end this pointless discussion and find a solution.
The meaning 'bewusstlos' (unconscious) is outdated and is no longer used in modern language. You find it almost only in old literature.
In dem alten Roman fiel der verletzte Soldat sinnlos zu Boden.
In the old novel, the injured soldier fell unconscious to the ground.
futile
Both words can describe an attempt that produces no positive result. Vergeblich states that the desired success did not occur without evaluating the attempt itself. Sinnlos additionally evaluates it as having no sensible purpose or benefit. For mere failure, vergeblich is appropriate; for an attempt that was pointless from the outset, use sinnlos.
Es ist sinnlos, den kaputten Drucker noch einmal einzuschalten.
It is pointless to turn on the broken printer again.
Ich habe den kaputten Drucker noch einmal eingeschaltet, aber vergeblich auf eine Reaktion gewartet.
I turned on the broken printer again, but waited in vain for a response.
