ungenau
inaccurate
Not exact, precise, or detailed; vague or only approximately correct.
EXAMPLE
Die Wettervorhersage für nächste Woche ist noch sehr ungenau.
The weather forecast for next week is still very inaccurate.
ungenau
inaccurate
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Meanings
ungenau
careless
Describing a way of working that is careless, hasty, or not careful enough.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du so ungenau arbeitest, schleichen sich ständig Fehler ein.
If you work so carelessly, mistakes will keep creeping in.
Usage tips
Word structure
The adjective has a simple structure: it consists of the prefix 'un-', which expresses negation, and the adjective 'genau' (exact/precise). So it directly means 'not exact' or 'not precise'.
EXAMPLE
Deine Wegbeschreibung war leider etwas ungenau.
Unfortunately, your directions were somewhat inaccurate.
Context clue
If 'ungenau' (inaccurate) refers to information, data, or statements, it means 'not precise'. If it refers to an action or a person, it means 'not careful' or 'careless'.
EXAMPLE
Die Schätzung der Kosten war ungenau und viel zu niedrig.
The estimate of the costs was inaccurate and much too low.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'not precise', 'ungenau' (inaccurate) is often combined with nouns that describe information or measurements. Typical examples are: 'eine ungenaue Angabe' (an inaccurate statement/detail), 'eine ungenaue Schätzung' (an inaccurate estimate), or 'eine ungenaue Erinnerung' (a vague memory).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe nur eine ungenaue Erinnerung an meine frühe Kindheit.
I have only a vague memory of my early childhood.
Use as an adverb
In the meaning 'careless', 'ungenau' (carelessly) is often used as an adverb to describe how an action is carried out. It then stands directly with the verb.
EXAMPLE
Wenn man das Gemüse so ungenau schneidet, wird es nicht gleichmäßig gar.
If you cut the vegetables so carelessly, they won't cook evenly.
Compare with
ungenau vs ungefähr
approximately
“Ungefähr” describes an intentionally non-exact figure. “Ungenau,” on the other hand, usually refers to a lack of precision in a figure and can therefore sound critical. Use “ungefähr” for an intended approximation and “ungenau” when the figure is judged to be deficient or merely vague.
ungenau
Die Karte ist an dieser Stelle ungenau und zeigt ungefähr fünf Kilometer an.
The map is inaccurate at this point and indicates approximately five kilometers.
ungefähr
Die Strecke ist ungefähr fünf Kilometer lang.
The distance is approximately five kilometers.
In real life
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