controversial
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controversial
A quality of topics, people, or decisions about which there are different, often opposing opinions and which lead to discussions or disputes.
Der Bau der neuen Autobahn ist in der Region sehr umstritten.
The construction of the new highway is very controversial in the region.
'Umstritten' (controversial) is the past participle of the verb 'umstreiten' (to dispute). It is made up of 'um' and 'streiten' (to argue). So an 'umstrittenes Thema' (controversial topic) is literally a topic 'um das gestritten wird' (that is being argued about).
Die neuen Regeln sind bei den Mitarbeitern heftig umstritten.
The new rules are heavily disputed among the employees.
The adjective often describes abstract concepts or actions. Typical collocations are 'eine umstrittene Entscheidung' (a controversial decision), 'ein umstrittenes Gesetz' (a controversial law), 'eine umstrittene Methode' (a controversial method), or 'eine umstrittene Person' (a controversial person).
Der Politiker ist für seine umstrittenen Aussagen bekannt.
The politician is known for his controversial statements.
When you want to name the group in which something is controversial, you usually use the prepositions 'in' or 'bei' with the dative. The adjective often appears at the end of the sentence.
Die Theorie ist in der Wissenschaft nach wie vor umstritten.
The theory is still controversial in the scientific community.
questionable
A decision is umstritten when there are opposing opinions and discussions about it. It is fragwürdig when the decision itself raises doubts or concerns, for example because of possible dishonesty, poor quality, or a lack of moral appropriateness. In the first case, the dispute is what matters; in the second, it is the suspected weakness.
Die Entscheidung des Vereins ist umstritten, weil die Mitglieder sehr unterschiedliche Meinungen dazu haben.
The club's decision is controversial because the members have very different opinions about it.
Die Entscheidung des Vereins ist fragwürdig, weil der Vorstand wichtige Informationen verschwiegen haben könnte.
The club's decision is questionable because the board may have withheld important information.
