unbrauchbare

Unbrauchbare is a German adjective meaning not usable or not fit for a particular purpose. It describes objects, systems, or ideas that fail to function properly, are defective, obsolete, or otherwise unsuitable. The term is commonly used in technical, logistical, and everyday contexts to distinguish usable from unusable items or proposals.

Etymology and grammar: Unbrauchbar is formed with the negative prefix un- added to brauchbar (usable). It inflects like a standard adjective: unbrauchbar (base form), unbrauchbare (feminine singular or plural in some uses), and other inflected forms such as unbrauchbaren, depending on gender, number, and case. It can appear attributively (eine unbrauchbare Lösung) or predicatively (Die Batterie ist unbrauchbar). The noun form Unbrauchbarkeit denotes the state or quality of being unusable.

Usage and nuance: The term is broad and can describe physical objects that do not work (a unbrauchbarer Motor), material conditions (unbrauchbares Material), or ideas and plans that cannot be implemented (eine unbrauchbare Strategie). It is often used with terms like defekt, ungeeignet, or nutzlos to convey varying degrees of inoperability or lack of usefulness. In procurement, inventory, and quality control, items may be declared unbrauchbar and disposed of or recycled.

Related terms: antonymous concepts include brauchbar (usable), funktionsfähig (operational), and tauglich (suitable). The noun Unbrauchbarkeit refers to the state of being unusable, while Unbrauchbare can appear as a nominalized form in some contexts.

Examples: Die Batterie ist unbrauchbar. Die unbrauchbare Lösung wurde verworfen.