nutzloser Besitz
masculine
The English phrase 'white elephant' can be translated into German using several terms. If unsure, use nutzloser Besitz. Wiktionary also lists nutzloser Gegenstand and finanzielle Last.
Meaning: unwanted possession, financial burden, unprofitable investment (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | Note |
|---|---|
| nutzloser Besitz | masculine |
| nutzloser Gegenstand | masculine |
| finanzielle Last | feminine |
| lästiger Besitz | masculine |
| Fehlinvestition | feminine |
These terms are used to describe an unwanted possession, a financial burden or an unprofitable investment.
Which one should you use?
The choice of term depends on the specific nature of the 'white elephant'. Use nutzloser Besitz or lästiger Besitz for an unwanted possession, and nutzloser Gegenstand for a useless object. If the emphasis is specifically on the economic aspect, use finanzielle Last for a financial burden or Fehlinvestition for an unprofitable investment.
Did you know?
- In German, there is no direct idiomatic equivalent for the 'white elephant' animal metaphor, so using it would likely confuse a native speaker.
- The word Besitz for 'possession' originally comes from a Middle High German word meaning 'seat' or 'place'. It stems from a verb meaning 'to sit' or 'to besiege'.
- To describe a possession as lästig, a German speaker is implying the object is 'tiresome' or 'wearisome'. This shifts the focus from the object's lack of value to the emotional exhaustion of the owner.
Examples in context
- Hast du schon einmal von dem Weißen Elefanten gehört?Have you ever heard of the white elephant?
- Das neue Stadion ist eine reine Fehlinvestition.The new stadium is a pure bad investment.
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are discussing a large, unused boat.
- JuliaDas Boot ist ein totaler nutzloser Besitz.The boat is a total white elephant.
- FelixIch stimme dir zu, es kostet nur Geld.I agree, it only costs money.
- JuliaSollen wir es dieses Jahr verkaufen, Felix?Should we sell it this year, Felix?
- FelixJa, das ist die beste Idee.Yes, that is the best idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “white elephant” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Besitz, Gegenstand, Last, last, CC BY-SA 4.0.
