German word

hilflos

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhɪlfloːs/

Meaning

  • adjectivepowerless

Example

Der hilflose Junge rief nach seiner Mutter.

The powerless boy called for his mother.

Illustration for hilflos (powerless)

More examples

Nach dem Stromausfall standen die Bewohner hilflos da.

After the power outage, the residents stood there helplessly.

Core concept

Someone is overwhelmed by a situation and has neither support nor a workable response.

Common phrases

  • sich hilflos fühlen

    feel helpless

  • völlig hilflos sein

    be completely helpless

  • in eine hilflose Lage geraten

    get into a helpless situation

Similar words

machtlos: Unable to make things happen because of a lack of power or means.
ratlos: At a loss because no answer or course of action seems clear.
verzweifelt: Consumed by fear or sorrow when hope is nearly gone.

Definition in German

So, dass jemand keine Unterstützung hat und deswegen handlungsunfähig oder verzweifelt wirkt.

Word origin

Hilflos is a German formation from Hilfe and -los, literally describing a state in which help is absent.

Usage tips

  • Hilflos can describe confusion as well as lack of practical power, so 'at a loss' may fit better than 'powerless' in some contexts.

Other meanings

  • helplessadjective
  • at a lossadjective

Opposites

  • kompetentcompetentadjective
  • handlungsfähigable to actadjective

Related words

  • Hilflosigkeithelplessnessnoun

Word lists with this word