unpassend
inappropriate
Not suitable or appropriate for a particular situation, occasion, or person.
EXAMPLE
Seine Jeans und das T-Shirt waren für die Opernpremiere unpassend.
His jeans and T-shirt were inappropriate for the opera premiere.
unpassend
inappropriate
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Meanings
unpassend
inappropriate
Describes a comment or joke that is out of place, hurtful, or tactless.
EXAMPLE
Er machte eine unpassende Bemerkung über ihr Gewicht.
He made an inappropriate comment about her weight.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'passend' (suitable/appropriate). 'Passend' means 'geeignet' (suitable) or 'angemessen' (appropriate). 'Unpassend' (inappropriate) is therefore the direct opposite.
EXAMPLE
Sein lautes Lachen war in der ernsten Situation unpassend.
His loud laughter was inappropriate in the serious situation.
Use with 'für'
To express what something is inappropriate for, you use the preposition 'für' followed by the accusative. This construction is very common.
EXAMPLE
Diese Schuhe sind für eine lange Wanderung unpassend.
These shoes are inappropriate for a long hike.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'tactless', 'unpassend' (inappropriate) is often combined with words that describe communication. Typical examples are: 'eine unpassende Bemerkung' (an inappropriate comment), 'ein unpassender Witz' (an inappropriate joke), or 'eine unpassende Frage' (an inappropriate question).
EXAMPLE
Er ist bekannt dafür, im falschen Moment unpassende Witze zu machen.
He is known for making inappropriate jokes at the wrong moment.
Compare with
unpassend vs unglücklich
unhappy / unfortunate
Both words are suitable for a remark that is poorly received in a situation. “Unpassend” mainly refers to a lack of connection to the occasion or to a lack of appropriateness, while “unglücklich” evaluates the awkward choice and its overall effect. Use “unpassend” for clear tactlessness and “unglücklich” for an unsuccessful formulation.
unpassend
Sein Witz war bei der Trauerfeier völlig unpassend.
His joke was completely inappropriate at the funeral.
unglücklich
Seine unglückliche Bemerkung machte die angespannte Besprechung noch schwieriger.
His unfortunate remark made the tense meeting even more difficult.
In real life
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