German word

unerträglich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊnɛɐ̯ˌtʁɛːklɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectiveunbearable

Example

Die Musik ist unerträglich.

The music is unbearable.

Illustration for unerträglich (unbearable)

More examples

Sein ständiges Nörgeln machte das Zusammensein unerträglich.

His constant complaining made being together unbearable.

Core concept

A burden pushed past the point where patience, comfort, or endurance can hold.

Common phrases

  • unerträgliches Verhalten

    unbearable behavior

  • unerträgliche Schmerzen

    unbearable pain

Similar words

unzumutbar: Not reasonably acceptable or bearable in a given situation.
unangenehm: Uncomfortable or disagreeable without necessarily causing severe distress.
quälend: Persistently painful or distressing over an extended period.
schrecklich: Very unpleasant, frightening, or deeply repulsive.

Definition in German

so extrem unangenehm, dass man physisch oder emotional nicht mehr aushält

Word origin

The adjective combines the negating prefix "un-" with "erträglich," formed from "ertragen" meaning to endure and the suffix "-lich."

Usage tips

  • As an attributive adjective, "unerträglich" takes ordinary adjective endings, as in "ein unerträglicher Lärm."

Other meanings

  • intolerableadjective

Opposites

  • aushaltbarbearableadjective

Related words

  • Unerträglichkeitunbearablenessnoun

Word lists with this word