without a trace
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without a trace
Without leaving any trace or clue behind. Usually used in connection with disappearing or removing something.
Der Dieb verschwand mit der Beute spurlos in der Nacht.
The thief disappeared into the night with the loot without a trace.
without a trace
Without leaving a recognizable effect or lasting impression.
Die harte Kritik ist nicht spurlos an ihm vorübergegangen.
The harsh criticism did not pass him by without leaving a trace.
The word consists of 'Spur' (trace) and the ending '-los' (-less), which means 'without'. So 'spurlos' literally means 'without a trace'.
Das Auto war am nächsten Morgen spurlos verschwunden.
The car had disappeared without a trace by the next morning.
'Spurlos' is almost always used as an adverb that describes a verb, e.g. 'spurlos verschwinden' (to disappear without a trace). Using it as an adjective directly before a noun, e.g. 'der spurlose Dieb' (the traceless thief), is very rare.
Der Fleck auf dem Teppich ließ sich spurlos entfernen.
The stain on the carpet could be removed without a trace.
In the meaning 'without a trace', 'spurlos' is very often combined with the verb 'verschwinden' (to disappear). The phrase 'spurlos verschwinden' (to disappear without a trace) is a fixed collocation.
Das Schiff ist vor 50 Jahren im Bermuda-Dreieck spurlos verschwunden.
The ship disappeared without a trace in the Bermuda Triangle 50 years ago.
The figurative meaning is used almost exclusively in the expression '(nicht) spurlos an jemandem vorübergehen' (to not pass someone by without leaving a trace). It expresses that an experience has affected a person emotionally or psychologically. The person is in the dative case.
Die anstrengenden letzten Jahre sind nicht spurlos an ihr vorübergegangen.
The stressful past few years have not passed her by without leaving a trace.
ineffective
Both words can express that something had no noticeable effect. „Spurlos“ emphasizes that no lasting impression remains, often in fixed expressions such as „spurlos an jemandem vorbeigehen“. „Wirkungslos“, by contrast, directly means that an intended effect fails to occur.
Die harte Kritik ging spurlos an ihr vorbei.
The harsh criticism made no impression on her.
Die Behandlung blieb wirkungslos und brachte keine Besserung.
The treatment was ineffective and brought no improvement.
