English–German
“powerless” in German
German
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈhɪlfloːs/
Example
Der hilflose Junge rief nach seiner Mutter.
The powerless boy called for his mother.
How to say “powerless” in German
“Powerless” in German is hilflos.
Someone is overwhelmed by a situation and has neither support nor a workable response.
Example sentences with hilflos
Nach dem Stromausfall standen die Bewohner hilflos da.
After the power outage, the residents stood there helplessly.
Tips for using hilflos
- Hilflos can describe confusion as well as lack of practical power, so 'at a loss' may fit better than 'powerless' in some contexts.