promising
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promising
Giving reason for great hopes of future success, positive development, or high quality.
Die ersten Ergebnisse des Experiments sind sehr vielversprechend.
The first results of the experiment are very promising.
The word is made up of 'viel' (much/a lot) and 'versprechend' (promising). 'Versprechend' is the present participle of 'versprechen' (to promise). Literally, it means that something 'promises a lot' and therefore gives reason for hope.
Das neue Medikament hat eine vielversprechende Wirkung gezeigt.
The new medication has shown a promising effect.
'Vielversprechend' (promising) can be used as an adjective before a noun, as part of the predicate, or as an adverb to describe a verb. Its form adapts to its grammatical function.
Das ist ein vielversprechender Ansatz.
That is a promising approach.
'Vielversprechend' (promising) is often used in combination with nouns that describe a beginning or a possibility. Typical examples are: 'ein vielversprechender Kandidat' (a promising candidate), 'ein vielversprechender Beginn' (a promising beginning), or 'vielversprechende Ergebnisse' (promising results).
Sie gilt als vielversprechende Kandidatin für die Position.
She is considered a promising candidate for the position.
hopeless
'hoffnungslos' and 'vielversprechend' both evaluate what future prospects something has. But they are clearly opposites. Use 'hoffnungslos' when there is little or no prospect of success, rescue, or improvement. Use 'vielversprechend' when something has good chances and gives hope for a good result. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with hope and expectation. The simple memory aid is: 'hoffnungslos' takes hope away; 'vielversprechend' gives hope.
Das neue Projekt klingt vielversprechend, weil schon viele Kunden Interesse zeigen.
The new project sounds promising because many customers are already showing interest.
Nach drei verlorenen Spielen wirkte die Lage der Mannschaft fast hoffnungslos.
After three lost games, the team's situation seemed almost hopeless.