unfit / unsuitable
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unfit
Describes a person who, because of physical or mental deficiencies, is not suitable for a specific task, especially military service.
Er wurde bei der Musterung als untauglich für den Wehrdienst eingestuft.
At the military medical examination, he was classified as unfit for military service.
unsuitable
Describes a thing, method, or means that is not suitable or is ineffective for a particular purpose.
Dieser Klebstoff ist völlig untauglich, um Metall zu verbinden.
This glue is completely unsuitable for joining metal.
impossible attempt
In a legal context, describes an attempted crime that cannot succeed from the outset because the object of the offense or the means used is unsuitable.
Der Versuch, eine bereits tote Person zu vergiften, ist ein strafloser untauglicher Versuch.
The attempt to poison a person who is already dead is a non-punishable impossible attempt.
'Untauglich' (unfit/unsuitable) comes from the adjective 'tauglich' (suitable) and the verb 'taugen' (to be good for something). The prefix 'un-' reverses the meaning into its opposite: something is not good for a purpose.
Das alte Werkzeug taugt für diese Reparatur nicht mehr, es ist untauglich.
The old tool is no longer any good for this repair; it is unsuitable.
To state the purpose for which someone or something is not suitable, the preposition 'für' with the accusative is almost always used.
Diese Schuhe sind für eine lange Wanderung im Gebirge untauglich.
These shoes are unsuitable for a long hike in the mountains.
'Untauglich' (unfit) is used especially often in connection with the medical examination for the military. In that case, someone is 'für den Wehrdienst als untauglich eingestuft' (classified as unfit for military service).
Wegen seiner schlechten Augen wurde er als untauglich für den Militärdienst erklärt.
Because of his poor eyesight, he was declared unfit for military service.
The phrase 'untauglicher Versuch' (impossible attempt) is a fixed term in legal language. This expression is hardly used in everyday speech.
Der Dieb beging einen untauglichen Versuch, da der Tresor leer war.
The thief committed an impossible attempt, since the safe was empty.
unable
Unfähig emphasizes that someone cannot perform a particular action or meet a requirement. Untauglich judges the person unsuitable for a specific task or service because of their physical or mental condition. Use unfähig for a lack of ability and untauglich for a lack of suitability.
Wegen seiner schweren Rückenverletzung ist er für den Rettungsdienst untauglich.
Because of his serious back injury, he is unfit for emergency medical service.
Er ist unfähig, den Verletzten allein zu tragen.
He is unable to carry the injured person by himself.
