Skip to content

vergeblich

futile

adjective adverb fer-GAYP-likh Less Common
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Also means

in vain

Usage Note

vergeblich describes an effort that fails to achieve its aim, as in vergebliche Mühe ('wasted effort'). Don't confuse it with vergeblich sounding like vergeben ('to forgive'); they are unrelated in meaning.

Examples

"Alle Versuche waren vergeblich."

Natural Translation

All attempts were in vain.

Literal Translation

All attempts were futile.

Explore German by topic