unvernünftig
unreasonable
Not guided by reason or good judgment; irrational or reckless.
EXAMPLE
Es ist unvernünftig, bei diesem Gewitter eine Bergwanderung zu machen.
It is unreasonable to go hiking in the mountains during this thunderstorm.
unvernünftig
unreasonable
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Meanings
unvernünftig
unreasonable
Reaching an excessive or inappropriate level; unreasonably high, especially with prices or demands.
EXAMPLE
Der Händler verlangte einen unvernünftigen Preis für das gebrauchte Fahrrad.
The dealer asked an unreasonable price for the used bicycle.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Unvernünftig' (unreasonable) is the direct opposite of 'vernünftig' (reasonable). It is formed with the prefix 'un-', which expresses negation. The base is 'die Vernunft' (reason).
EXAMPLE
Sei doch nicht so unvernünftig und fahr bei diesem Nebel langsam!
Don't be so unreasonable; drive slowly in this fog!
Context clue
You distinguish the meanings by the noun being described. If 'unvernünftig' (unreasonable) refers to a person or their behavior, it means 'reckless'. If it refers to a price or a demand, it means 'excessively high'.
EXAMPLE
Es war eine unvernünftige Entscheidung, den Job zu kündigen.
It was an unreasonable decision to quit the job.
Typical usage
In the meaning of 'irrational', the word is often used as an appeal or criticism to bring someone to their senses. It usually describes actions, decisions, or people.
EXAMPLE
Deine Idee ist völlig unvernünftig, das kann nicht funktionieren.
Your idea is completely unreasonable; that cannot work.
Compare with
unvernünftig vs unrealistisch
unrealistic
Unrealistisch describes a demand that is barely possible to meet given the actual circumstances. Unvernünftig, by contrast, evaluates the demand or the judgment behind it as inappropriate, excessive, or poorly considered. A demand can be both unrealistic and unreasonable.
unvernünftig
Die Forderung, für die kleine Reparatur eine Million Euro zu zahlen, ist unvernünftig.
The demand to pay one million euros for the small repair is unreasonable.
unrealistisch
Die Forderung, das gesamte Gebäude bis morgen zu renovieren, ist unrealistisch.
The demand to renovate the entire building by tomorrow is unrealistic.
In real life
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