nichts wert
/nɪx(t)s veːrt/word by word
The German phrase for no good is nichts wert.
The phrase nichts wert is used to describe something that has no value or is useless.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, particularly in southern Germany, the word böse may be used instead of schlecht to mean bad or not good.
How do you pronounce it?
/nɪx(t)s veːrt/
Did you know?
- In colloquial German, people often use für die Tonne (for the bin) to describe something that is no good.
- If you describe a person as having 'no value' using nichts wert, it can sound much harsher and more dehumanizing than simply saying they are 'not good'.
- The word nichts actually comes from a reinforced Middle High German expression meaning 'nothing of nothing'.
Examples in context
- Die Qualität der Arbeit ist nicht gut.The quality of the work is not good.
- Das Verhalten war nicht gut.The behavior was not good.
- Die bereitgestellten Informationen waren unzureichend.The provided information was insufficient.
- Das Produkt hat keine gute Qualität.The product doesn't have good quality.
- Der Film war schlecht.The movie was bad.
- Das Essen in diesem Restaurant ist einfach Mist.The food in this restaurant is just garbage.
- Die Präsentation war nicht so gut wie erwartet.The presentation was not as good as expected.
- Das alte Buch ist nichts wert.The old book is worth nothing.
- Dieses kaputte Teil ist nichts wert.This broken part is worth nothing.
- Die alten Sammlungen sind leider nichts wert.The old collections are unfortunately worth nothing.
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are looking through an old box in the attic.
- LauraSchau mal, Maximilian, ich habe diese alten Briefe gefunden.Look, Maximilian, I found these old letters.
- MaximilianLeider sind diese Briefe heute nichts wert.Unfortunately, these letters are worth nothing today.
- LauraDas ist wirklich schade.That is a real shame.
- MaximilianJa, sie sind einfach nichts wert.Yes, they are simply worth nothing.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (nichts, Wert) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nichts, wert, CC BY-SA 4.0.
