transferable / transmissible
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transferable
Such that it can be transferred from one person to another, for example a right, a ticket, or a task.
Die Eintrittskarte ist personalisiert und nicht auf andere Personen übertragbar.
The ticket is personalized and is not transferable to other people.
transmissible
Refers to diseases that can be passed from one living being to another; contagious.
Die Grippe ist eine leicht übertragbare Krankheit, die sich schnell verbreitet.
The flu is an easily transmissible disease that spreads quickly.
applicable
Such that a principle, method, or finding can also be applied in another context or to another case.
Diese Studienergebnisse sind nicht ohne Weiteres auf die gesamte Bevölkerung übertragbar.
These study results are not readily applicable to the entire population.
The word is derived from the verb 'übertragen' (to transfer). The ending '-bar' means that something can be done. 'Übertragbar' (transferable) therefore literally means 'can be transferred'.
Die Verantwortung für dieses Projekt ist nicht einfach übertragbar.
The responsibility for this project is not easily transferable.
'Übertragbar' (transferable) is very often used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. This construction describes what or whom something can be transferred to.
Das Ticket ist leider nicht auf eine andere Person übertragbar.
Unfortunately, the ticket is not transferable to another person.
The context makes the meaning clear: in connection with tickets or rights, it is about passing something on to other people. With diseases, it means 'contagious'. In scientific or abstract contexts, it means 'applicable'.
Ist diese Lizenz auf einen anderen Computer übertragbar?
Is this license transferable to another computer?
In this meaning, the word is often used for legal or commercial things. Typical combinations are 'ein Ticket ist übertragbar' (a ticket is transferable), 'ein Recht ist übertragbar' (a right is transferable), or 'Anteile sind übertragbar' (shares are transferable).
Prüfen Sie vor dem Kauf, ob die Jahreskarte übertragbar ist.
Before buying, check whether the annual pass is transferable.
In a medical context, 'übertragbar' (transmissible) is used for diseases, viruses, or infections. It is often combined with adverbs such as 'leicht' (easily), 'schwer' (with difficulty), or 'sexuell' (sexually).
Manche Infektionen sind nur durch direkten Kontakt übertragbar.
Some infections are transmissible only through direct contact.
In this meaning, it is about the applicability of ideas or results. Typical formulations are 'Ergebnisse sind übertragbar' (results are applicable/transferable), 'eine Methode ist übertragbar' (a method is applicable/transferable), or 'ein Prinzip ist übertragbar' (a principle is applicable/transferable).
Die im Labor entwickelte Lösung ist auch auf die Praxis übertragbar.
The solution developed in the lab is also applicable to practice.
applicable
When referring to a method, anwendbar describes whether it is suitable for a particular purpose or case. Übertragbar, on the other hand, emphasizes that the method can be taken from its original context and applied to another case.
Die Methode ist von unserer Abteilung auf andere Abteilungen übertragbar.
The method can be transferred from our department to other departments.
Die Methode ist auf das aktuelle Problem in unserer Abteilung anwendbar.
The method is applicable to the current problem in our department.
