useless
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useless
Something that has no use, purpose, or advantage. It is unnecessary or does not help.
Diese alte Maschine ist völlig unnütz, sie funktioniert schon seit Jahren nicht mehr.
This old machine is completely useless; it hasn't worked for years.
useless
Describes a person who is seen as incapable or good for nothing. This use is often derogatory.
Nach dem Fehler bei der Arbeit fühlte er sich völlig unnütz.
After the mistake at work, he felt completely useless.
The word consists of the prefix 'un-', which expresses negation, and the stem 'nütz', which is derived from 'der Nutzen' (use/benefit). Something that is 'unnütz' (useless) therefore literally has no use.
Er warf die alten, unnützen Kabel weg.
He threw away the old, useless cables.
To emphasize that something serves absolutely no purpose, 'unnütz' (useless) is often combined with adverbs such as 'völlig' (completely), 'total' (totally), or 'komplett' (completely).
Diese alte Anleitung ist völlig unnütz, da die Hälfte der Seiten fehlt.
This old manual is completely useless because half the pages are missing.
When referring to people, 'unnütz' (useless) is often used reflexively with the verb 'fühlen' (to feel). The phrase 'sich unnütz fühlen' (to feel useless) describes the feeling of not being needed or not being able to contribute anything.
Nachdem er seinen Job verloren hatte, fühlte er sich oft unnütz und leer.
After he lost his job, he often felt useless and empty.
If you describe another person as 'unnütz' (useless), it is a strong, negative, and often hurtful statement. It expresses that you consider the person incapable or worthless.
Sein Chef nannte ihn einen unnützen Mitarbeiter, was sehr unfair war.
His boss called him a useless employee, which was very unfair.
pointless / senseless
Sinnlos questions the reasonable meaning or purpose of an action. Unnütz, by contrast, emphasizes that it provides no practical use or benefit. Both can fit a useless activity, but unnütz focuses more strongly on the lack of a useful result.
Es ist unnütz, für den Streit Unterlagen zu sammeln, die niemand braucht.
It is useless to collect documents for the argument that nobody needs.
Es ist sinnlos, denselben Streit jeden Abend wieder anzufangen.
There is no point in starting the same argument every evening.
