der Untaugliche
Translation
unsuitable person, incompetent person, dud, failure
Examples
Er wurde als Untauglicher aus dem Militär entlassen.
He was discharged from the military as unfit.
Der Chef nannte ihn einen Untauglichen.
The boss called him an incompetent person.
Grammar Patterns
als Untauglicher gelten to be considered an unsuitable person He was considered unsuitable for the job.
j-n einen Untauglichen nennen to call sb. an incompetent person She called him an incompetent in front of everyone.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Versager, Niete; Antonyms: Könner, Experte
Etymology
From un- (not) + taugen (to be suitable) + -lich (adjective suffix) + -er (nominalisation). Literally 'one who is not suitable'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'taug' as being related to 'tough'. An 'un-taug-licher' is someone not tough or suitable enough for a task.