unerreichbar
inaccessible
Not reachable spatially or physically; inaccessible.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Erdrutsch war das Dorf für mehrere Tage völlig unerreichbar.
After the landslide, the village was completely inaccessible for several days.
unerreichbar
unreachable
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Meanings
unerreichbar
unreachable
Not contactable, especially by telephone or other means of communication.
EXAMPLE
Ich versuche seit einer Stunde, sie anzurufen, aber sie ist einfach unerreichbar.
I've been trying to call her for an hour, but she is simply unreachable.
unerreichbar
unattainable
At such a high level that it cannot be reached; refers to goals, standards, or achievements.
EXAMPLE
Der Weltrekord in dieser Disziplin schien für alle anderen Athleten unerreichbar.
The world record in this discipline seemed unattainable for all the other athletes.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of the prefix 'un-' and 'erreichbar' (reachable). 'Erreichbar' comes from the verb 'erreichen' (to reach). 'Unerreichbar' therefore literally means 'not reachable', which can refer to places, people, or goals.
EXAMPLE
Der Gipfel des Berges ist bei diesem Wetter unerreichbar.
The mountain peak is unreachable in this weather.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear: with places, it is about physical accessibility. With people, it is about contact by phone or email. With goals, dreams, or records, it is about achievability.
EXAMPLE
Das entlegene Bergdorf ist im Winter oft unerreichbar. (Ort)
The remote mountain village is often inaccessible in winter. (place)
Sentence structure with 'für'
'Unerreichbar' is very often used with the preposition 'für' (for) and an accusative object to specify for whom or what something is not reachable.
EXAMPLE
Diese hohe Qualität ist für die Konkurrenz unerreichbar.
This high level of quality is unattainable for the competition.
In real life
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