German word

ungefährlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊngəˌfɛːɐ̯lɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectiveharmless

Example

Die ungefährliche Pflanze braucht wenig Wasser.

The harmless plant needs little water.

Illustration for ungefährlich (harmless)

More examples

Bei sachgemäßer Anwendung ist das Medikament ungefährlich.

The medication is harmless when used properly.

Core concept

A calm path, object, or situation with no threatening edge.

Common phrases

  • bei normalem Gebrauch ungefährlich

    harmless in normal use

  • als ungefährlich angesehen

    regarded as harmless

  • für Haustiere ungefährlich

    harmless to pets

Similar words

unschädlich: Causing no harmful effects to people or the environment.
harmlos: Innocuous and unlikely to cause harm or injury.
gefahrlos: Free from danger and safe to carry out.
sicher: Protected from danger, with little risk of accidents.

Definition in German

Ohne Gefahr, es droht kein Schaden.

Word origin

Ungefährlich combines the negative prefix un- with gefährlich, which is formed from Gefahr and the adjective suffix -lich.

Usage tips

  • Ungefährlich focuses on the absence of danger, while harmlos also commonly means innocuous, trivial, or non-serious.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word