onschikbare

Onschikbare is a Dutch adjective meaning not suitable or inappropriate for a given purpose or context. It is formed with the negating prefix on- attached to schikbare, a term that is largely archaic or literary in modern Dutch. In contemporary use the more common opposites are ongeschikt (not suitable) or ongepast (inappropriate), with onscheikbare appearing primarily in formal, rhetorical, or historic texts.

Etymology and nuance: The word derives from schikbaar, a rare or old-fashioned form related to suitable or fitting. The combination with the negation prefix on- marks a strong sense that something cannot be made to serve a desired aim. Because of its rarity, onsCHikbare often signals a stronger judgment than simply niet geschikt.

Usage: Onschikbare tends to occur when evaluating proposals, plans, or conditions that are fundamentally incompatible with a goal. It is more common in literary or prescriptive writing than in everyday speech, where speakers would typically use ongeschikt, ongepast, or niet haalbaar.

Examples: A onschikbare oplossing voor het probleem werd verworpen. Het voorstel werd als onschikbaar beschouwd onder de huidige omstandigheden.

See also: ongeschikt, ongepast, onscheidbare (note: unrelated terms), ontwerpkruising.