untreu
unfaithful
Describes a person who breaks sexual or emotional fidelity in a romantic relationship or marriage.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat herausgefunden, dass ihr Partner ihr untreu war.
She found out that her partner had been unfaithful to her.
untreu
unfaithful
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Meanings
untreu
disloyal
Describes a person who is not loyal or faithful to another person, a cause, a principle, or a promise.
EXAMPLE
Er ist seinen alten Idealen untreu geworden und arbeitet jetzt für einen Großkonzern.
He has become disloyal to his old ideals and now works for a large corporation.
untreu
breach of trust
In a legal sense, acting improperly to the detriment of assets one is responsible for managing (Untreue). The adjective describes this behavior.
EXAMPLE
Der Vorstand handelte untreu, als er das Vermögen der Stiftung für private Zwecke nutzte.
The board acted in breach of trust when it used the foundation's assets for private purposes.
Usage tips
Word structure
The adjective is made up of the negating prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'treu' (loyal, faithful). So 'untreu' is the direct opposite and means 'illoyal' or 'unfaithful.'
EXAMPLE
Wer seine Freunde im Stich lässt, ist untreu.
Someone who abandons their friends is disloyal.
Dative construction
The adjective 'untreu' is almost always used with the dative. The person, thing, or idea toward which someone is unfaithful or disloyal is in the dative. The pattern is: Jemand ist jemandem/etwas untreu (Someone is unfaithful/disloyal to someone/something).
EXAMPLE
Er wurde seinen Prinzipien untreu, um Karriere zu machen.
He became disloyal to his principles in order to advance his career.
Context clue: relationship
In everyday language, 'untreu' usually means infidelity in a romantic relationship. The context is then partners, marriage, or love. The person who is cheated on is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Er war seiner Frau schon seit Jahren untreu.
He had been unfaithful to his wife for years.
Context clue: ideals
When 'untreu' does not refer to a person but to abstract things, the general meaning is 'illoyal.' Typical objects in the dative are then 'sich selbst' (oneself), 'seinen Idealen' (one's ideals), 'einer Sache' (a cause), or 'einer Überzeugung' (a conviction).
EXAMPLE
Die Politikerin wurde ihrer Partei untreu und wechselte die Seite.
The politician became disloyal to her party and switched sides.
Context clue: law
In legal or business texts, 'untreu' has a very specific meaning. It describes the criminal offense of misappropriating entrusted assets. The related noun is 'die Untreue' (breach of trust).
EXAMPLE
Der Geschäftsführer wurde angeklagt, weil er dem Unternehmen gegenüber untreu gehandelt hatte.
The managing director was charged because he had acted in breach of trust toward the company.
Compare with
untreu vs abtrünnig
apostate / renegade
Untreu generally describes a lack of loyalty toward a person, cause, or community. Abtrünnig is more specific and emphasizes that someone renounces and leaves their group or beliefs. Use untreu for a lack of loyalty, and abtrünnig for a clear turning away or separation.
untreu
Er war seinem Verein untreu und unterstützte plötzlich dessen größten Gegner.
He was disloyal to his club and suddenly supported its biggest rival.
abtrünnig
Er wurde seinem Verein abtrünnig und verließ ihn nach dem Streit.
He turned against his club and left it after the dispute.
In real life
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