nachlässig

negligent

adjective NAHKH-les-ikh Less Common

Origin: from nachlassen (to slacken)

Also means

sloppy

Usage Note

nachlässig describes careless, half-hearted work or appearance: nachlässig gekleidet (carelessly dressed). It implies neglect of due care, milder than fahrlässig (negligent in a legal sense). The noun is Nachlässigkeit.

Examples

"Er erledigte die Arbeit nachlässig und voller Fehler."

Natural Translation

He did the work negligently and full of mistakes.

Literal Translation

He handled the work negligent and full of mistakes.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

German Numbers 1–100: Why 21 Is Said Backwards

German numbers 1 to 100 reverse the digits: 21 is einundzwanzig (one-and-twenty). Learn the und rule, the irregulars, and how to hear prices fast.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

Du vs. Sie: When to Use Each in German

Use Sie with strangers, elders, and at work; use du with friends, family, kids, and peers. Here's how to pick the right German you every time.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Umlauts & ß: Sounds and Typing

Pronounce ä, ö, ü with the front-tongue, rounded-lips rule, master the ß vs ss spelling, and type every German umlaut on Mac, Windows, and phone.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Days, Months & Seasons (am, im & -tag)

Days of the week in German use am, months and seasons use im — plus the -tag pattern, capitalized nouns, and how to build a real sentence with a day.

June 5, 2026 4 min read