unavoidable
unumgänglich – unumgänglicher – am unumgänglichsten
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unavoidable
Something that cannot be avoided or bypassed because it is absolutely necessary or inevitable.
Aufgrund der schweren Verletzung war eine sofortige Operation unumgänglich.
Because of the serious injury, an immediate operation was unavoidable.
| basic form | unumgänglich |
|---|---|
| comparative | unumgänglicher |
| superlative | am unumgänglichsten |
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unumgänglich.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unumgänglich.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to unumgänglich.
The word is a negation. It is made up of 'un-' (not), the verb 'umgehen' (to avoid / to bypass), and the ending '-lich'. Something 'Unumgängliches' is therefore literally something you 'nicht umgehen' (cannot avoid).
Eine Steuererhöhung ist zur Sanierung des Haushalts unumgänglich.
A tax increase is unavoidable in order to restore the budget.
'Unumgänglich' is very often used predicatively with the verb 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become). The structure is then: 'Etwas ist/wird unumgänglich' (Something is/becomes unavoidable).
Ein klärendes Gespräch zwischen den beiden ist unumgänglich.
A clarifying conversation between the two of them is unavoidable.
This adjective belongs to formal language. In everyday speech, people would often use simpler words like 'nötig' (needed) or 'notwendig' (necessary), but 'unumgänglich' emphasizes inevitability more strongly.
Die Kündigung des Vertrags war aus rechtlichen Gründen unumgänglich.
The termination of the contract was unavoidable for legal reasons.
'Unumgänglich' is often used with nouns that describe an action or event. Typical examples are: 'eine unumgängliche Entscheidung' (an unavoidable decision), 'ein unumgänglicher Schritt' (an unavoidable step), or 'eine unumgängliche Maßnahme' (an unavoidable measure).
Die Schließung der Abteilung war ein unumgänglicher Schritt, um die Firma zu retten.
Closing the department was an unavoidable step in order to save the company.
indispensable
Unerlässlich describes something as an indispensable prerequisite for achieving a goal. Unumgänglich can also express absolute necessity, but additionally emphasizes that a measure cannot be avoided. When this compulsion is the main point, unumgänglich is the better choice.
Nach dem schweren Schaden ist eine vollständige Reparatur der Maschine unumgänglich.
After the serious damage, a complete repair of the machine is unavoidable.
Für den sicheren Betrieb der Maschine ist eine regelmäßige Wartung unerlässlich.
Regular maintenance is essential for operating the machine safely.
