outrage / absurdity
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outrage
Refers to a thing, idea, or situation that is perceived as completely absurd, impossible, or unacceptable.
Es ist ein Unding, dass wir für diesen Service extra bezahlen müssen.
It's an outrage that we have to pay extra for this service.
impossibility
In a philosophical or abstract sense, something that does not exist or cannot be conceived of as an independent thing.
In seiner Metaphysik ist das reine Nichts ein Unding, das sich jeder Beschreibung entzieht.
In his metaphysics, pure nothingness is an impossibility that defies all description.
'Das Unding' consists of the prefix 'Un-' and the noun 'das Ding' (thing). Here, the prefix does not just mean 'not'; it also expresses a strongly negative judgment. An 'Unding' is therefore something that is considered wrong, absurd, or unacceptable and really should not exist.
Dass Kinder hungern müssen, ist ein Unding.
That children have to go hungry is an outrage.
To express outrage, 'Unding' is often used in fixed structures. Very common patterns are 'Es ist ein Unding, dass ...' (It is an outrage that ...) with a subordinate clause, or 'Es ist ein Unding, zu ...' (It is an outrage to ...) with an infinitive construction.
Es ist ein Unding, dass die Züge ständig Verspätung haben.
It's an outrage that the trains are constantly delayed.
When you describe something as an 'Unding' (outrage), it is not a neutral description. You are expressing strong personal disapproval, anger, or disbelief.
Seine Forderung nach noch mehr Geld ist ein absolutes Unding!
His demand for even more money is an absolute outrage!
The philosophical meaning is very rare and limited to academic texts. If you read or hear 'Unding' in a normal conversation or text, it always means 'inakzeptable Sache' (unacceptable thing).
Für den Philosophen war die Idee eines „nichts“ ein reines Unding.
For the philosopher, the idea of a 'nothing' was a pure impossibility.
nonsense
Unsinn and Unding can both criticize an absurd idea or regulation. Unsinn emphasizes its lack of sense or illogical content. Unding also fits when something is condemned primarily as impossible or completely unacceptable.
Eine Regel, die den Beschäftigten jede Pause verbietet, ist ein Unding.
A rule that bans employees from taking any breaks is an outrage.
Die Idee, jede Besprechung ohne Grund zweimal zu halten, ist Unsinn.
The idea of holding every meeting twice for no reason is nonsense.
