dienstbar
Translation
subservient, subordinate, serviceable, useful
Examples
Er machte sich die Technik dienstbar.
He harnessed technology for his purposes.
Sie war ihm vollkommen dienstbar.
She was completely subservient to him.
Grammar Patterns
((sich.dat)) ((sth.acc)) dienstbar machen to harness sth., make sth. subservient to oneself Der Mensch macht sich die Natur dienstbar.
((sb.dat)) dienstbar sein to be subservient to sb. Sie ist ihrem Mann dienstbar.
Similar Words
subservient, obedient, useful; Antonyms: dominant, independent
Etymology
Composed of 'Dienst' (service) and the suffix '-bar' (-able). Literally means 'service-able'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'Dienst' (service) + 'bar'. Imagine someone who is always available at the 'bar' of service, ready to be 'dienstbar'.