unbestimmt
indefinite
Not precisely fixed, vague, or unclear.
EXAMPLE
Der Liefertermin ist noch unbestimmt.
The delivery date is still indefinite.
unbestimmt
indefinite / vague
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Meanings
unbestimmt
indefinite
Refers to a period of time that has not been fixed.
EXAMPLE
Er ist auf unbestimmte Zeit verreist.
He has gone away for an indefinite period of time.
unbestimmt
vague
Describes a vague feeling that is difficult to define.
EXAMPLE
Sie hatte ein unbestimmtes Gefühl, dass etwas nicht in Ordnung war.
She had a vague feeling that something was not right.
unbestimmt
indefinite
In grammar, the term for articles or pronouns that do not refer to a specific person or thing (e.g., 'a', 'someone').
EXAMPLE
Im Satz „Ein Mann kam herein“ ist „ein“ der unbestimmte Artikel.
In the sentence 'A man came in,' 'a' is the indefinite article.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'bestimmt' (certain/specific). 'Bestimmt' means 'sicher' (certain) or 'spezifisch' (specific). The prefix 'un-' negates the base word, so 'unbestimmt' literally means 'not certain' or 'not specific'.
EXAMPLE
Die genaue Ursache des Problems ist noch unbestimmt.
The exact cause of the problem is still indefinite.
Typical collocations
In its main meaning, 'unbestimmt' (indefinite) is often combined with nouns that describe information or a plan. Typical examples are: 'ein unbestimmter Ort' (an unspecified place), 'eine unbestimmte Anzahl' (an unspecified number), or 'eine unbestimmte Zukunft' (an uncertain future).
EXAMPLE
Eine unbestimmte Anzahl von Gästen hat sich angemeldet.
An unspecified number of guests has registered.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'auf unbestimmte Zeit' (for an indefinite period of time) is a very common fixed expression. It means that the duration of a situation has not been fixed and you do not know when it will end.
EXAMPLE
Die Ausstellung wurde auf unbestimmte Zeit verlängert.
The exhibition was extended for an indefinite period of time.
Typical collocation
To describe a vague feeling or intuition, 'unbestimmt' (vague) is almost always used in the combination 'ein unbestimmtes Gefühl' (a vague feeling). It expresses that you sense something is there, but cannot say exactly what.
EXAMPLE
Ich hatte das unbestimmte Gefühl, beobachtet zu werden.
I had the vague feeling that I was being watched.
Context clue
This meaning is a technical term from grammar. You can recognize it because it is used together with words like 'Artikel' (article), 'Pronomen' (pronoun), or 'Zahlwort' (numeral).
EXAMPLE
Wörter wie „jemand“ oder „etwas“ nennt man unbestimmte Pronomen.
Words like 'jemand' (someone) or 'etwas' (something) are called indefinite pronouns.
Compare with
unbestimmt vs offen
open
An offener Termin has not yet been decided. An unbestimmter Termin has not been set precisely, for example because only an approximate period is known. Offen is appropriate when a decision is still pending, while unbestimmt is used when precise details are missing.
unbestimmt
Der Termin für das Treffen ist noch unbestimmt, weil bisher nur der Monat feststeht.
The date for the meeting is still indefinite because so far only the month has been set.
offen
Der Termin für das Treffen ist noch offen, weil das Team morgen darüber entscheidet.
The date for the meeting is still open because the team will decide on it tomorrow.
In real life
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