unfruchtbar
infertile
Unable to support the growth of plants or produce a good harvest; lacking sufficient fertility.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem unfruchtbaren Boden wachsen nur wenige Pflanzen.
Only a few plants grow in the infertile soil.
unfruchtbar
infertile / fruitless
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Meanings
unfruchtbar
infertile
Used of people or animals: unable to reproduce or produce offspring.
EXAMPLE
Die Untersuchung ergab, dass der Mann unfruchtbar ist.
The examination showed that the man is infertile.
unfruchtbar
fruitless
Without useful results or new ideas; unsuccessful and unproductive in an activity or dispute.
EXAMPLE
Die lange Diskussion blieb unfruchtbar und führte zu keiner Entscheidung.
The lengthy discussion was fruitless and led to no decision.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry unfruchtbar, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | unfruchtbar |
|---|
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 unfruchtbar.
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 unfruchtbar.
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 unfruchtbar.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Unfruchtbar' (infertile / fruitless) is made up of 'un-' and 'fruchtbar' (fertile). Here, the prefix 'un-' indicates the absence or negation of fertility.
EXAMPLE
Der unfruchtbare Boden muss zuerst verbessert werden.
The infertile soil must be improved first.
Context clue
The accompanying nouns often indicate which meaning is intended: 'Boden', 'Land', or 'Erde' point to agriculture; a person or animal points to reproduction; and a 'Diskussion' or 'Auseinandersetzung' points to the figurative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem unfruchtbaren Land wächst kaum Getreide.
Very little grain grows on the infertile land.
Die Tierärztin stellte fest, dass die Katze unfruchtbar ist.
The veterinarian determined that the cat is infertile.
Die unfruchtbare Diskussion dauerte mehrere Stunden.
The fruitless discussion lasted several hours.
Typical collocations
In the agricultural sense, 'unfruchtbar' (infertile) frequently occurs with 'Boden' (soil), 'Land' (land), and 'Erde' (earth / soil). Combinations such as 'unfruchtbare Region' (infertile region) and 'unfruchtbares Gebiet' (infertile area) are also common.
EXAMPLE
In dieser unfruchtbaren Region kann nur mit künstlicher Bewässerung Landwirtschaft betrieben werden.
In this infertile region, farming is possible only with artificial irrigation.
Medical context
When referring to people and animals, 'unfruchtbar' (infertile) is often used in medical or biological contexts, for example together with 'Untersuchung' (examination), 'Diagnose' (diagnosis), or 'Behandlung' (treatment).
EXAMPLE
Nach mehreren Untersuchungen wurde er als unfruchtbar diagnostiziert.
After several examinations, he was diagnosed as infertile.
Figurative collocations
In its figurative meaning, 'unfruchtbar' (fruitless) most often describes a discussion, debate, or dispute that produces no useful results.
EXAMPLE
Die unfruchtbare Debatte über den Haushalt brachte keinen gemeinsamen Vorschlag hervor.
The fruitless debate about the budget produced no joint proposal.
In real life
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