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.
'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.
suitable
'geeignet' and 'untauglich' are opposites. 'geeignet' means that a person, thing, or method is suitable for a purpose. 'untauglich' means that it is not suitable or not usable for that purpose. For people, 'untauglich' often sounds official, for example when someone cannot do a particular task for physical or mental reasons. For things or methods, it means that they do not work for the intended purpose. In normal everyday situations, people often simply say 'nicht geeignet', while 'untauglich' sounds stronger and more formal.
Diese alte Leiter ist für die Reparatur am Dach untauglich.
This old ladder is unsuitable for repairing the roof.
Für den langen Spaziergang sind feste Schuhe besonders geeignet.
Sturdy shoes are especially suitable for the long walk.