German word

rücksichtslos

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁʏkzɪçt͡sloːs/

Meaning

  • adjectiveinconsiderate

Example

Das war die rücksichtsloseste Bemerkung des Abends.

That was the most inconsiderate remark of the evening.

Illustration for rücksichtslos (inconsiderate)

More examples

Ein rücksichtsloser Fahrer schnitt knapp vor dem Fahrradfahrer ein.

An inconsiderate driver cut in just in front of the cyclist.

Core concept

A person pushes through a crowded room, treating everyone in the way as irrelevant.

Common phrases

  • eine rücksichtslose Aussage

    an inconsiderate statement

  • rücksichtsloses Verhalten

    inconsiderate behavior

  • ein rücksichtsloser Fahrer

    an inconsiderate driver

Similar words

egozentrisch: Seeing situations mainly from a personal perspective rather than others' views.
selbstsüchtig: Putting personal gain or enjoyment ahead of other people's well-being.
skrupellos: Acting coldly without regard for moral rules or a guilty conscience.
gefühllos: Showing little empathy or human warmth toward other people.

Definition in German

Ohne Rücksicht auf andere handeln; die Auswirkungen des eigenen Verhaltens für andere nicht bedenken.

Word origin

Rücksichtslos combines the noun Rücksicht, meaning consideration, with the suffix -los, meaning without, to describe a lack of consideration.

Usage tips

  • English reckless often focuses on danger or risk, while German rücksichtslos primarily focuses on disregard for other people, so the words are not always interchangeable.

Other meanings

  • insensitiveadjective
  • recklessadjective

Opposites

  • rücksichtsvollconsiderateadjective
  • taktvolltactfuladjective

Related words

  • Rücksichtslosigkeitinconsideratenessnoun

Word lists with this word