lustlos

Lustlos is a German adjective meaning lacking desire, appetite, or enthusiasm. It is used to describe someone who shows little or no interest, energy, or sexual arousal. The word can apply to mood, motivation, or sexual desire, and can describe objects or situations that provoke little interest, as in “eine lustlose Stimmung” or “ein lustloser Tag.”

Etymology: The term is formed from Lust, meaning desire or pleasure, and los, meaning without. The resulting adjective literally denotes “without lust” or “free of desire.”

Usage: In everyday language, lustlos describes emotional states (lacking enthusiasm), motivation (low drive), or sexual desire (decreased libido). The noun form Lustlosigkeit is used to describe the quality of being lustless; phrases like “lustlose Stimmungen” are common. In medical discussions, professionals more often prefer terms such as verminderte Libido for sexual desire and Anhedonie for lack of pleasure in general, rather than relying on lustlos.

Related terms include leidenschaftslos (passionless) and the broader concept of diminished libido. The word is primarily used in German-speaking contexts to convey a neutral or descriptive sense of reduced desire or interest, rather than a moral judgment.