Ungenügend

Ungenügend is a German adjective and adverb meaning insufficient, inadequate, or unsatisfactory. It is used to describe something that does not meet a required standard or expectation, such as a performance, result, or quantity that falls short.

In the context of the German school grading system, Ungenügend is the lowest grade on the common 1–6 scale, corresponding to a failing mark. The scale typically runs from 1 (very good) to 6 (insufficient). Receiving an Ungenügend usually indicates that the student did not meet the minimum requirements in that subject. Depending on the institution and the specific assessment, a course or exam may be retaken or subject to a remedial or supplementary assessment to improve the grade.

Beyond education, Ungenügend is used in general German language to denote insufficiency in various domains, such as resources, evidence, or performance. In some contexts, synonyms like unzureichend or mangelhaft may be used, though Ungenügend carries a strong connotation of failing to meet a standard. The term remains common in everyday language, official evaluations, and educational discourse in German-speaking regions.