unworthy
Loading your saved state.
unworthy
Describes behavior or a quality that is disgraceful and does not correspond to the status, honor, or respect that a person or thing deserves. Often used with the genitive or 'für' (for).
Sein feiges Verhalten war eines Offiziers unwürdig.
His cowardly behavior was unworthy of an officer.
The word is made up of the negative prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'würdig' (worthy). So it means that something or someone is not worthy of a particular thing or person.
Er fand die harschen Vorwürfe seiner Person unwürdig.
He found the harsh accusations unworthy of his person.
This meaning is often used with a noun in the genitive to express of whom or of what something is unworthy. A simpler alternative is the construction with 'für' + accusative.
Ein solches Verhalten ist eines Kapitäns unwürdig.
Such behavior is unworthy of a captain.
In the meaning 'degrading', 'unwürdig' (undignified) often refers to living conditions. Typical combinations are 'unwürdige Bedingungen' (undignified conditions), 'unwürdige Behandlung' (undignified treatment), or 'unwürdige Verhältnisse' (undignified circumstances).
Die Organisation kämpft gegen die unwürdigen Arbeitsbedingungen in den Fabriken.
The organization is fighting against the undignified working conditions in the factories.
worthy / dignified
'würdig' and 'unwürdig' are clear opposites. 'würdig' means that someone or something deserves respect, honor, or good treatment, or behaves with decency. 'unwürdig' means the opposite: something does not fit with respect or dignity and seems shameful or degrading. The words can be confused because they look very similar and only 'un-' reverses the meaning. So pay special attention to this prefix. 'Ein würdiger Abschied' (a dignified farewell) is respectful; 'ein unwürdiger Umgang' (undignified treatment) is disrespectful or degrading.
Die langen Wartezeiten ohne Wasser waren für die Patienten unwürdig.
The long waiting times without water were undignified for the patients.
Die Feier war ein würdiger Abschied für die alte Lehrerin.
The celebration was a dignified farewell for the elderly teacher.