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.
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
'anwendbar' and 'übertragbar' can both mean that something can be used in a situation. 'anwendbar' fits when a rule, method, or idea is directly suitable for a specific case. 'übertragbar' is used when something comes from one area and also works in another area. Learners can confuse the words because in both cases something 'fits'. The important difference is: 'anwendbar' asks whether you can use something; 'übertragbar' asks whether you can transfer it from one context to another.
Die Methode aus dem Sprachkurs ist auch auf andere Fächer übertragbar.
The method from the language course is also transferable to other subjects.
Diese Regel ist auf unseren Fall nicht anwendbar.
This rule is not applicable to our case.