tatenlos
Translation
inactive, idle, passive, without taking action
Examples
Er musste tatenlos zusehen.
He had to watch without taking action.
Die Regierung blieb lange tatenlos.
The government remained inactive for a long time.
Grammar Patterns
to watch ((sth.)) without taking action Er musste tatenlos zusehen.
((Subject)) to remain inactive Die Regierung blieb lange tatenlos.
Similar Words
untätig (inactive), passiv (passive); Antonyms: aktiv (active), tätig (active, busy)
Etymology
From 'Tat' (deed, action) + '-en-' (linking element) + '-los' (-less). Literally 'action-less' or 'deed-less'.
Memory Tips
Think of it as having a 'loss' of 'Taten' (deeds/actions). You are 'action-less'.