Unglück
Lemma: Unglück
Translation: misfortune; accident; disaster; calamity; bad luck; mishap (noun)
Etymology: Unglück comes from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not' or negation) + 'Glück' (meaning 'luck', 'fortune', or 'happiness'). It literally means 'non-luck' or 'absence of fortune'. The English cognate would be 'unluck', though this isn't commonly used in English. The concept parallels the English word 'misfortune', where the prefix 'mis-' similarly negates 'fortune'.
Example Usage
Es war ein Unglück, dass es an diesem Tag regnete.
It was a misfortune that it rained on that day.
Bei dem Unglück kamen drei Menschen ums Leben.
Three people lost their lives in the accident.
Zum Unglück hatte ich meinen Schlüssel vergessen.
Unfortunately, I had forgotten my key.
Er bringt nur Unglück.
He only brings bad luck.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'un' as the negative prefix (like in English) and 'Glück' as 'luck' - so 'Unglück' is literally 'unluck' or bad fortune.
- Associate it with the phrase 'ugh, luck' to remember it means bad luck or misfortune.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In German culture, the concept of 'Unglück' is often referenced in fairy tales and folklore, where characters experience misfortune before eventually finding happiness. The phrase 'Glück im Unglück haben' (to have luck in misfortune) is a common expression describing finding a silver lining in a bad situation.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'Unglück' is the noun meaning 'misfortune' or 'accident', 'unglücklich' is the adjective meaning 'unhappy' or 'unfortunate'.
Notes: The adjective form adds '-lich' to the noun, similar to how English adds '-y' to make adjectives (e.g., luck → lucky).
Mnemonic: Remember: Unglück (noun) is the event or circumstance; unglücklich (adjective) describes how someone feels.
Explanation: 'Unglück' means misfortune or accident, while 'unglaublich' means 'unbelievable' or 'incredible'.
Notes: These words look similar but have very different meanings and contexts.
Mnemonic: Unglaublich contains 'glaub' (from 'glauben' - to believe), while Unglück contains 'glück' (luck).