German word

vergebens

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈgeːbəns/

Meaning

  • adverbin vain

Example

Die Bemühungen waren vergebens.

The efforts were to no avail.

Illustration for vergebens (in vain)

More examples

Wir haben uns vergebens bemüht, die Frist einzuhalten.

We tried in vain to meet the deadline.

Core concept

Seeds are carefully sown in barren soil, but nothing grows from the work.

Common phrases

  • sich vergebens bemühen

    try in vain

  • vergebens Geld ausgeben

    spend money in vain

Similar words

umsonst: An effort brings no reward or useful result.
vergeblich: An attempt fails to produce the hoped-for result.
ergebnislos: An action or attempt ends without producing any result.

Definition in German

bezeichnet eine Handlung oder Anstrengung, die kein Ergebnis bringt

Word origin

Vergebens continues a Middle High German adverbial form and belongs to the same word family as vergeblich for unsuccessful actions.

Usage tips

  • Umsonst can also mean free of charge, but vergebens refers only to an effort that achieves no result.

Other meanings

  • uselesslyadverb
  • fruitlesslyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • vergeblichfutileadjective
  • Vergeblichkeitfutilitynoun

Word lists with this word