unveräußerlich

Unveräußerlich is an adjective used to describe something that cannot be transferred, disposed of, or alienated to another person or entity. In legal and moral contexts it is often applied to rights, status, or intrinsic attributes that are regarded as inherent to a person or collective and therefore not subject to voluntary surrender.

The term is particularly prominent in discussions about fundamental or human rights. Concepts such as human dignity, personal integrity, and certain liberties are frequently described as unveräußerlich, meaning they should not be waived or traded away, even under pressure or contractual arrangements. The precise scope of what is unveräußerlich can vary by legal system and constitutional text, and debates about limits or exceptions are common.

Unveräußerlich is distinct from related terms. It contrasts with veräußerlich (transferable or marketable) and with unverkäuflich (not for sale in a commercial sense). It is also related to, but not identical with, unantastbar (not to be violated), which emphasizes protection against infringement rather than transferability per se.

Etymologically, the word combines veräußern (to alienate or dispose of) with the prefix un-, signaling negation. While the concept is often invoked in discussions of rights and status, its exact application depends on national legal doctrine and philosophical interpretation.

See also: inalienable rights, unveräußerliche Rechte, Grundrechte, Menschenwürde.