unaufrichtig

Unaufrichtig is a German adjective meaning not sincere; insincere or disingenuous. It is used to describe words, actions, or demeanor that lack candor or genuineness and are intended to mislead, flatter, or manipulate. The term implies a deliberate feigning of honesty rather than mere factual error, and it often carries a negative evaluative tone.

Etymology and sense

The word is formed with the negative prefix un- attached to aufrichtig, which means sincere or upright. Aufrichtig itself comes from roots meaning upright or correct, so unaufrichtig literally denotes the opposite of being upright or genuine.

Usage

Unaufrichtig can describe various contexts, from personal interactions to public statements. Examples include unaufrichtige Entschuldigungen (insincere apologies) or unaufrichtige Freundlichkeit (feigned friendliness). In discourse, labeling something as unaufrichtig signals suspicion about the speaker’s motives or the authenticity of their behavior. It is less harsh than verlogen (lying) but clearly marks a lack of honesty or genuineness.

Related terms

Synonyms include verlogen, heuchlerisch, unehrlich. Antonyms are aufrichtig and ehrlich. The noun form is Unaufrichtigkeit (insincerity).

See also

Aufrichtigkeit refers to sincerity and uprightness, the direct semantic opposite of unaufrichtig.