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zahnlos

English translation: ineffectual


16:46 Jun 29, 2009Login or register (free) for more options.
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Retail
German term or phrase: zahnlos
Allerdings ist jede Technik „zahnlos“, wenn sie nicht optimal genutzt wird.

Thanks.
ClaireReu
Germany
Local time: 17:09
English translation:ineffectual
Explanation:
I also think it would be OK to say 'toothless' or even 'toothless and ineffectual'.
Selected response from:

Anne-Marie Grant
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:09
Grading comment
Thanks.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +8has no bite (ineffective) or has no teeth
Lingua.Franca
4 +6toothless
ArnoTranslates
3 +1ineffectual
Anne-Marie Grant


  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +8
has no bite (ineffective) or has no teeth


Explanation:
Somewhat on the slang side of the spectrum, this, I think has a similar connotation as zahnlos.

Technology not used optimally has no bite.

Lingua.Franca
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:09
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Birgit Gläser: good analogy
17 mins

agree  Inge Meinzer
20 mins

agree  BirgitBerlin: "no bite" find ich gut.
24 mins

agree  Ingrid Moore
1 hr

agree  Jutta Wappel: mit beiden Birgits
1 hr

agree  Ivan Nieves
5 hrs

agree  O. Korhan KARTIN
13 hrs

agree  anjawulf: with "has no teeth" or "is without teeth". If something "has teeth", it is said to have power.
1 day36 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
ineffectual


Explanation:
I also think it would be OK to say 'toothless' or even 'toothless and ineffectual'.

Anne-Marie Grant
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:09
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ingrid Moore
50 mins
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36 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
toothless


Explanation:
This literal translation is actually correct and conveys the source's meaning.

"lacking necessary force for effectiveness"

Example sentence(s):
  • A toothless piece of legislation
ArnoTranslates
United States
Local time: 09:09
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  John Fenz
26 mins
  -> Thank you

agree  Ingrid Moore
48 mins
  -> Thank you

agree  michael10705
2 hrs
  -> Phank you :)

agree  Anne-Marie Grant
6 hrs
  -> Thank you, Anne-Marie!

agree  Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
11 hrs
  -> Danke!

agree  robin25
1 day12 hrs
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