ungültig
invalid / expired
No longer valid or effective because a deadline or period has expired.
EXAMPLE
Ihr Reisepass ist seit letztem Monat ungültig.
Your passport has been invalid since last month.
ungültig
invalid
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Meanings
ungültig
invalid
Not legally or formally recognized or effective.
EXAMPLE
Ohne die Unterschrift beider Parteien ist der Vertrag ungültig.
Without the signatures of both parties, the contract is invalid.
ungültig
invalid
In sports: not in accordance with the rules and therefore not counted.
EXAMPLE
Der Sprung des Athleten wurde für ungültig erklärt, weil er die Linie übertreten hatte.
The athlete's jump was declared invalid because he had crossed the line.
Usage tips
Word formation
The word is made up of the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'gültig' (valid). The prefix 'un-' negates the meaning of 'gültig' and means 'not'.
EXAMPLE
Diese Fahrkarte ist leider ungültig.
Unfortunately, this ticket is invalid.
Typical usage
'Ungültig' is often used in the construction 'für ungültig erklären' (to declare invalid). This means that an official authority decides that something is no longer valid.
EXAMPLE
Die Wahl wurde wegen Betrugs für ungültig erklärt.
The election was declared invalid because of fraud.
Typical nouns
Common things that can be 'ungültig' (invalid) are official documents, agreements, or actions: a ticket, a passport, a contract, a vote (in an election), or an attempt (in sports).
EXAMPLE
Ein Stimmzettel ohne Kreuz ist ungültig.
A ballot paper without a mark is invalid.
Compare with
ungültig vs verfallen
to decay / expire
When referring to a voucher, both words can express that it can no longer be used. „Verfallen“ emphasizes the final loss after the voucher expires, while „ungültig“ describes the lack of validity more generally. „Verfallen“ is appropriate when a claim expires, while „ungültig“ is appropriate when stating that something is no longer valid.
ungültig
Der Gutschein ist ungültig, weil das aufgedruckte Datum abgelaufen ist.
The voucher is invalid because the date printed on it has expired.
verfallen
Der Gutschein ist verfallen, weil wir ihn nicht innerhalb eines Jahres eingelöst haben.
The voucher expired because we did not redeem it within a year.
In real life
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