German word

dürftig

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈdʏʁftɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivemeager

Example

Er hat nur eine dürftige Ausrede.

He has only a meager excuse.

Illustration for dürftig (meager)

More examples

Die dürftigen Kenntnisse reichten nicht für die Prüfung.

The meager knowledge was not sufficient for the exam.

Core concept

A thin or weak offering that falls short of what a situation requires.

Common phrases

  • dürftige Ausrede

    meager excuse

  • dürftige Kenntnisse

    meager knowledge

  • dürftiges Ergebnis

    meager result

Similar words

unzureichend: Not sufficient to meet the required purpose, amount, or conditions.
mangelhaft: Below the expected standard because of defects or significant shortcomings.
spärlich: Present only in small amounts, with wide gaps between available parts.
armselig: Extremely poor in quality or extent, inviting pity or contempt.

Definition in German

in Menge oder Qualität so gering, dass es für den Zweck nicht ausreicht

Word origin

Dürftig developed from Middle High German dürftic, whose base expressed need or want, so the adjective came to describe something marked by deficiency.

Usage tips

  • Dürftig also describes non-material things such as information, evidence, and knowledge, not only food or other supplies.

Other meanings

  • pooradjective
  • inadequateadjective
  • scantadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Dürftigkeitmeagernessnoun

Word lists with this word