in vain
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in vain
Describes an action or attempt that remains unsuccessful and does not achieve the desired goal.
Wir haben stundenlang nach dem verlorenen Schlüssel gesucht, aber vergebens.
We searched for the lost key for hours, but in vain.
The word 'vergebens' (in vain) is related to the verb 'vergeben' (to forgive/to give away). The original idea is that effort or expense was 'given away for nothing' and therefore brought no success.
All seine Bemühungen, sie zu überzeugen, waren vergebens.
All his efforts to convince her were in vain.
'Vergebens' (in vain) often stands at the beginning or end of a sentence to emphasize the lack of success. It can also stand directly after the conjugated verb.
Vergebens versuchte er, die Tür zu öffnen.
In vain, he tried to open the door.
'Vergebens' (in vain) is often combined with verbs of trying, waiting, or searching. Typical phrases are 'vergebens warten' (to wait in vain), 'vergebens suchen' (to search in vain), and 'sich vergebens bemühen' (to try in vain).
Ich habe vergebens auf eine Antwort von ihm gewartet.
I waited in vain for a reply from him.
The word 'vergebens' (in vain) belongs more to written language or an elevated style. It often sounds somewhat more formal or literary.
Die Hoffnung auf eine schnelle Lösung erwies sich als vergebens.
The hope for a quick solution proved to be in vain.
free / in vain
Both words describe an attempt that does not achieve the desired goal. „Umsonst“ is common in everyday language and, without a clear context, can also mean „kostenlos“ (free). „Vergebens“ is restricted to the meaning of having no success and is therefore suitable when this meaning should be clear.
Ich habe lange auf den Bus gewartet, aber ich wartete vergebens.
I waited a long time for the bus, but I waited in vain.
Ich habe lange auf den Bus gewartet, aber das Warten war umsonst.
I waited a long time for the bus, but the wait was in vain.
