indescribable / unpronounceable
unaussprechlich – unaussprechlicher – am unaussprechlichsten
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indescribable
So intense, great, or unusual that it is difficult or impossible to put into words; beyond description.
Nach der Geburt empfand sie ein unaussprechliches Glück.
After giving birth, she felt indescribable happiness.
unpronounceable
Impossible to pronounce, for example because a word or name is very difficult to say.
Der unaussprechliche Name stammt aus einer seltenen Sprache.
The unpronounceable name comes from a rare language.
| basic form | unaussprechlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | unaussprechlicher |
| superlative | am unaussprechlichsten |
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unaussprechlich.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unaussprechlich.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to unaussprechlich.
The prefix 'un-' indicates negation. The stem 'sprech' shows the connection to the word family of 'sprechen' (to speak) and 'aussprechen' (to pronounce).
Für die Besucher war der lange Ortsname fast unaussprechlich.
For the visitors, the long place name was almost unpronounceable.
The noun that 'unaussprechlich' (indescribable / unpronounceable) describes helps you identify its meaning: with feelings, it usually refers to the intensity of the experience; with names, it refers to pronunciation. With crimes or acts of cruelty, the word often also expresses horror and moral condemnation.
Beim Wiedersehen empfand er eine unaussprechliche Freude.
When they met again, he felt indescribable joy.
Auf dem Schild stand ein für uns unaussprechlicher Ortsname.
The sign displayed a place name that was unpronounceable for us.
Die Gefangenen hatten unaussprechliche Grausamkeiten erlebt.
The prisoners had experienced unspeakable acts of cruelty.
'Unaussprechlich' (indescribably) can come directly before an adjective to intensify its meaning considerably. Typical combinations include 'unaussprechlich glücklich' (indescribably happy), 'unaussprechlich traurig' (indescribably sad), and 'unaussprechlich schön' (indescribably beautiful); this usage sounds emotional and often literary.
Sie war unaussprechlich glücklich, ihre Familie wiederzusehen.
She was indescribably happy to see her family again.
