fahrlässig

Definition & meaning

Fahrlässig means negligent, careless, or done without sufficient care. It describes someone failing to take the care that a situation reasonably requires, or an action resulting from that failure.

In legal contexts, it often contrasts with deliberate action: a person acts negligently when they fail to exercise due care, even if they did not intend the harmful result. Depending on context, it can also mean reckless or irresponsible, though “reckless” may suggest a higher degree of disregard.

Grammar & Word origin

Fahrlässig is an adjective and can also be used adverbially. Its forms include fahrlässiger (comparative) and am fahrlässigsten (superlative).

It is related to the noun Fahrlässigkeit (↗), meaning “negligence.” The adjective’s parts are not fully transparent in modern German; its historical form was associated with being careless or imprudent.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• unvorsichtig (↗) — “careless” or “imprudent”; a broad term for not being cautious.
• nachlässig (↗) — “negligent” or “sloppy”; often emphasizes neglecting a duty or task.
• sorglos (↗) — “carefree” or “heedless”; can imply a lack of concern more than a failure of duty.
• leichtfertig (↗) — “reckless” or “rash”; often suggests acting too casually despite foreseeable risks.

Antonyms:

• vorsichtig (↗) — “careful” or “cautious,” especially about avoiding risks.
• sorgfältig (↗) — “careful” or “thorough,” emphasizing attention to detail.
• umsichtig (↗) — “prudent” or “circumspect,” emphasizing consideration of possible consequences.

Common phrases & collocations

• fahrlässig handeln (↗) — to act negligently
• fahrlässige Tötung (↗) — negligent homicide; a legal term for causing someone’s death through negligence
• grob fahrlässig (↗) — grossly negligent; describing a particularly serious failure to exercise care
• fahrlässiger Fehler (↗) — a careless or negligent mistake