unredlich

Unredlich is a German adjective meaning dishonest, unscrupulous, or lacking integrity. It describes conduct that is morally improper or unfair, often carrying a stronger ethical judgment than everyday illegality. The term is formed with the prefix un- attached to redlich, a word that historically carried the sense of honest or legitimate, to express “not honest.”

Etymology and nuance: While the precise historical usage can vary by period, unredlich generally connotes moral fault and unreliability more than mere illegality. In modern German, the word is somewhat uncommon and tends to appear in literary, historical, or moralizing contexts rather than in everyday speech. More common contemporary synonyms include unehrlich (dishonest), unseriös (unreliable or unserious), and unlauter (unfair).

Usage and translation: In English, unredlich is typically translated as dishonest, unscrupulous, or unethical, depending on context. The related noun form is Unredlichkeit, meaning dishonesty or lack of integrity. The term is often used to judge actions, words, or institutions as ethically defective rather than simply illegal.

Examples and context: A phrase such as ein unredliches Geschäft (an unscrupulous or dishonest business deal) illustrates its moral coloring. In formal or legal language, more precise terms like unlauteres Verhalten (unfair conduct) or unlauterer Wettbewerb (unfair competition) are usually preferred, while unredlich remains a stylistically marked option appropriate to historical or literary registers.