vergeblich
Translation
in vain, futile, fruitless
Examples
Alle Mühe war vergeblich.
All the effort was in vain.
Er versuchte vergeblich, die Tür zu öffnen.
He tried in vain to open the door.
Grammar Patterns
〈sth.〉 is vergeblich 〈sth.〉 is in vain All his effort was in vain.
Similar Words
Synonyms: umsonst, erfolglos; Antonyms: erfolgreich, wirksam
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating something going wrong) and 'geben' (to give). The idea is of something 'given away' for nothing.
Memory Tips
Think of 'for-giving' up your effort for nothing. Your effort was 'vergeblich' (in vain).