vergeblich
futile
Without the desired success or hoped-for result; in vain.
EXAMPLE
All seine Bemühungen, sie umzustimmen, waren vergeblich.
All his efforts to change her mind were futile.
vergeblich
futile
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Adverbial use
'Vergeblich' (futile/in vain) is very often used as an adverb to describe an action that remains unsuccessful. In that case, it usually comes directly after the conjugated verb.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe vergeblich versucht, ihn zu erreichen.
I tried in vain to reach him.
Typical verbs
As an adverb, 'vergeblich' (in vain) often appears together with verbs that express an effort or expectation. Typical combinations are 'vergeblich warten' (to wait in vain), 'vergeblich suchen' (to search in vain), and 'vergeblich hoffen' (to hope in vain).
EXAMPLE
Wir warteten vergeblich auf eine Antwort.
We waited in vain for an answer.
Predicative use
You can also use 'vergeblich' (futile) with the verb 'sein' (to be) to express that an effort or attempt was in vain. The structure is then: 'Etwas ist/war vergeblich' (something is/was futile).
EXAMPLE
Seine ganze Mühe war am Ende vergeblich.
All his effort was futile in the end.
Compare with
vergeblich vs umsonst
free / in vain
Both words describe an attempt without the desired result. Umsonst is common in everyday speech, but it can also mean “free,” which may make it ambiguous. Vergeblich is unambiguous in this context. When only the lack of success is meant, vergeblich is therefore often more precise.
vergeblich
Wir suchten eine Stunde lang nach dem Schlüssel, aber die Suche war vergeblich.
We spent an hour looking for the key, but the search was futile.
umsonst
Wir suchten eine Stunde lang nach dem Schlüssel, aber die Mühe war umsonst.
We spent an hour looking for the key, but our effort was in vain.
In real life
Loading video examples...