wertlos
worthless
Having no financial or material value.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Währungsreform waren die alten Geldscheine plötzlich wertlos.
After the currency reform, the old banknotes were suddenly worthless.
wertlos
worthless
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Meanings
wertlos
worthless
Having no use, no significance, or no moral value; useless or reprehensible.
EXAMPLE
Ohne die passenden Batterien ist dieses alte Gerät völlig wertlos.
Without the right batteries, this old device is completely worthless.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'der Wert' (value) and the ending '-los' (-less). The ending '-los' means 'without', so 'wertlos' literally describes something 'without value'. This structure is found in many adjectives such as 'arbeitslos' (unemployed) or 'hoffnungslos' (hopeless).
EXAMPLE
Die alten Münzen sind für die Bank wertlos, aber für Sammler nicht.
The old coins are worthless to the bank, but not to collectors.
Use with 'für'
To express for whom or what something is worthless, you use the preposition 'für' (for) followed by the accusative. This limits the statement to a specific person or a specific purpose.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Fachbuch ist für einen Anfänger völlig wertlos.
This specialist textbook is completely worthless for a beginner.
Abstract things
'Wertlos' can refer not only to material things with no monetary value, but also to abstract things with no use. Typical examples are 'wertlose Informationen' (worthless information), 'ein wertloser Versuch' (a worthless attempt), or 'ein wertloser Rat' (worthless advice).
EXAMPLE
Sein Versprechen erwies sich am Ende als wertlos.
His promise turned out to be worthless in the end.
Compare with
wertlos vs sinnlos
pointless / senseless
Sinnlos describes an action or discussion with no sensible purpose or achievable outcome. Wertlos, by contrast, evaluates its usefulness or significance. A discussion can therefore be conducted meaningfully but still be wertlos if it provides no useful or usable information.
wertlos
Die weitere Diskussion ist wertlos, weil sie keine neuen oder brauchbaren Informationen liefert.
Continuing the discussion is worthless because it provides no new or useful information.
sinnlos
Die weitere Diskussion ist sinnlos, weil die Entscheidung längst endgültig getroffen wurde.
Continuing the discussion is pointless because the decision was made final long ago.
In real life
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