unersättlich
insatiable
Wanting or craving something so intensely that one never gets enough or feels satisfied.
EXAMPLE
Sein unersättlicher Hunger nach Erfolg ließ ihm keine Ruhe.
His insatiable hunger for success left him no peace.
unersättlich
insatiable
unersättlich – unersättlicher – am unersättlichsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry unersättlich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | unersättlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | unersättlicher |
| superlative | am unersättlichsten |
After der, die, das
| 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 unersättlich.
After ein, eine
| 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 unersättlich.
Without article
| 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 unersättlich.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Unersättlich' (insatiable) consists of 'un-' and 'ersättlich' (satiable). Here, the prefix 'un-' negates the basic idea, so something cannot be permanently satisfied.
EXAMPLE
Seine unersättliche Neugier führte ihn in viele verschiedene Länder.
His insatiable curiosity took him to many different countries.
Typical collocations
'Unersättlich' (insatiable) is often used with words such as 'Hunger' (hunger), 'Durst' (thirst), 'Gier' (greed), 'Neugier' (curiosity), or 'Verlangen' (desire). It usually describes a very strong human need and often sounds critical or excessive.
EXAMPLE
Die unersättliche Gier nach Geld zerstörte sein Vertrauen zu anderen Menschen.
His insatiable greed for money destroyed his trust in other people.
Style and effect
The adjective is especially common in written or figurative language and usually conveys a clear evaluation of the desire being described. It can characterize both physical needs and abstract wishes.
EXAMPLE
Die Journalistin hatte einen unersättlichen Wissensdurst und stellte immer neue Fragen.
The journalist had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and kept asking new questions.
Compare with
unersättlich vs gierig
greedy
Both “gierig” and “unersättlich” can describe a strong thirst for knowledge. “Gierig” emphasizes the intensity of the desire and is more likely to sound disapproving. “Unersättlich” emphasizes that someone can never get enough knowledge and can also express admiration.
unersättlich
Ihr Wissensdurst ist unersättlich, und sie will immer noch mehr erfahren.
Her thirst for knowledge is insatiable, and she always wants to learn more.
gierig
Sie ist gierig nach Wissen und will immer noch mehr erfahren.
She is hungry for knowledge and always wants to learn more.
In real life
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