ungesund
unhealthy
Harmful to health or well-being. Often refers to lifestyle, diet, or habits.
EXAMPLE
Täglich Fast Food zu essen ist sehr ungesund.
Eating fast food every day is very unhealthy.
ungesund
unhealthy
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Meanings
ungesund
unhealthy
In a figurative sense: morally, psychologically, or socially harmful or inadvisable.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat eine ungesunde Neugier für die Probleme anderer Leute.
She has an unhealthy curiosity about other people's problems.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is composed of the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'gesund' (healthy). The prefix 'un-' is a very common way to express the opposite of an adjective.
EXAMPLE
Eine ungesunde Lebensweise kann zu vielen Krankheiten führen.
An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to many illnesses.
Use with 'für'
'Ungesund' (unhealthy) is often used with the preposition 'für' (for) and the accusative to specify for whom or what something is harmful.
EXAMPLE
Zu viel Bildschirmzeit ist ungesund für die Augen.
Too much screen time is unhealthy for the eyes.
Typical collocations
In the context of health, 'ungesund' (unhealthy) is often combined with certain nouns. Typical examples are 'eine ungesunde Ernährung' (an unhealthy diet), 'ein ungesunder Lebensstil' (an unhealthy lifestyle), or 'ungesunde Gewohnheiten' (unhealthy habits).
EXAMPLE
Er versucht, seine ungesunden Gewohnheiten zu ändern und mehr Sport zu treiben.
He is trying to change his unhealthy habits and do more exercise.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative sense, 'ungesund' (unhealthy) describes harmful psychological or social states. Common combinations are 'eine ungesunde Beziehung' (an unhealthy relationship), 'ein ungesunder Ehrgeiz' (unhealthy ambition), or 'ein ungesundes Misstrauen' (unhealthy distrust).
EXAMPLE
Ihre Eifersucht hat ein ungesundes Ausmaß erreicht.
Her jealousy has reached an unhealthy level.
Compare with
ungesund vs krank
sick
Krank and ungesund both relate to impaired health. Krank generally refers to a specific illness, while ungesund refers to something harmful or to a lifestyle that can damage well-being. Use krank for the condition and ungesund for the possible cause or habit.
ungesund
Er lebt ungesund und bekommt wegen seines Schlafmangels oft gesundheitliche Probleme.
He has an unhealthy lifestyle and often develops health problems because of his lack of sleep.
krank
Er ist wegen einer Infektion krank und muss im Bett bleiben.
He is sick because of an infection and has to stay in bed.
In real life
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