reasonable / acceptable
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reasonable / acceptable
Describes a requirement, task, or situation that can reasonably be imposed on or expected of a person without overwhelming them.
Es ist nicht zumutbar, von den Mitarbeitern zu verlangen, unbezahlte Überstunden zu leisten.
It is not reasonable to expect employees to work unpaid overtime.
The word is derived from the verb 'jemandem etwas zumuten' (to expect someone to put up with something / to impose something on someone). The ending '-bar' means that something is possible. 'Zumutbar' (reasonable/acceptable) is therefore something that one can reasonably 'zumuten' (expect of/impose on) someone.
Diese Aufgabe kann man einem Anfänger nicht zumuten.
You can't expect a beginner to do this task.
This adjective is very often used in its negated form: 'nicht zumutbar' (not reasonable/acceptable) or as a separate word, 'unzumutbar' (unreasonable/unacceptable). This expresses that a requirement or situation is unacceptable.
Bei diesem Lärm zu arbeiten, ist unzumutbar.
Working in this noise is unacceptable.
'Zumutbar' (reasonable/acceptable) is often used in a construction with a dative object that indicates the person for whom something is or is not reasonable. A typical sentence structure is 'Es ist [Person im Dativ] (nicht) zumutbar, ... zu tun' (It is (not) reasonable for [person in the dative] to do ...).
Es ist mir nicht zumutbar, diese schwere Kiste allein zu tragen.
It is not reasonable for me to carry this heavy box alone.
appropriate
'angemessen' and 'zumutbar' can both express that something is okay or reasonable. 'angemessen' asks whether something fits the situation and is right in measure. 'zumutbar' asks more strongly whether something can be expected of a person without overwhelming them. That is why 'zumutbar' fits especially with tasks, routes, waiting times, or burdens. The words can be confused because both describe a limit. 'angemessen' is more general; 'zumutbar' refers more strongly to the burden on someone.
Zwei Stunden Fahrt jeden Tag sind für die neue Stelle kaum zumutbar.
A two-hour commute every day is hardly reasonable for the new job.
Für ein Gespräch mit dem Kunden ist diese Kleidung angemessen.
This clothing is appropriate for a conversation with the customer.