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A2 adjective 9 min read

unfair

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips unfair in 30 Seconds

Explanation unfair in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'unfair' as a word that looks and means the same as in English. It is used to express that something is 'not okay' or 'not right' in a simple context. You will mostly use it in the phrase 'Das ist unfair' (That is unfair). At this stage, you don't need to worry too much about complex grammar; just focus on using it to describe simple situations like games or basic rules. It's a very helpful word because it allows you to express a strong opinion with very little German knowledge. Remember that the pronunciation is slightly different from English: the 'u' is short like in 'under', and the stress is on the 'fair' part. You might hear children say it a lot. It's an adjective, but at A1, you mostly use it after the verb 'ist'. For example: 'Das Spiel ist unfair' or 'Er ist unfair'.

By A2, you are starting to build more complex sentences. You should now be aware that 'unfair' can be used with people by using the preposition 'zu' (to). For example, 'Du bist unfair zu mir' (You are unfair to me). You are also introduced to the idea that adjectives in German change their endings when they come before a noun, but at A2, you are mostly practicing these with simpler words. However, you can start using 'unfair' in basic descriptions like 'ein unfairer Spieler' (an unfair player). You should also be able to distinguish between 'unfair' and its opposite 'fair'. You will encounter this word in contexts like school (grades), sports, and family life. It's important to start noticing how it's used in short dialogues and to be able to answer questions like 'Warum findest du das unfair?' (Why do you find that unfair?).

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'unfair' more flexibly in your speaking and writing. You should be comfortable applying adjective endings in various cases. For example, 'Ich beschwere mich über die unfaire Behandlung' (I am complaining about the unfair treatment - accusative feminine). You should also understand the comparative and superlative forms: 'unfairer' and 'am unfairsten'. At this level, you can start comparing 'unfair' with 'ungerecht'. You'll use 'unfair' for more specific, personal situations and 'ungerecht' for more general or social issues. You will likely see the word in newspaper articles about sports or local news. You should also be able to use adverbs to modify it, such as 'völlig unfair' (completely unfair) or 'ziemlich unfair' (quite unfair). Practice using it in letters or emails to express dissatisfaction in a polite but firm way.

At B2, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'unfair'. You will encounter it in more professional and academic contexts. For instance, in a business setting, you might discuss 'unfairer Wettbewerb' (unfair competition) or 'unfaire Geschäftspraktiken' (unfair business practices). You should be able to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as 'Es wäre unfair, wenn wir nicht alle Teilnehmer gleich behandeln würden' (It would be unfair if we didn't treat all participants equally). You should also be aware of the noun form 'die Fairness' and how it's used in German discourse. At this level, you can also start using synonyms like 'unsportlich' or 'parteiisch' to be more precise. You should be able to participate in a debate about fairness in society, using 'unfair' and 'ungerecht' correctly to distinguish between individual acts and systemic issues.

By C1, your use of 'unfair' should be near-native. You understand the subtle emotional and social connotations the word carries. You can identify when a speaker uses 'unfair' to manipulate an argument or to appeal to the listener's emotions. You should be familiar with more formal or literary alternatives like 'unbillig' or 'verwerflich' (reprehensible). You can write sophisticated essays on topics like 'Fairness in der Wirtschaft' (Fairness in the economy) and use the word 'unfair' to describe complex ethical dilemmas. You also understand how the word functions as an Anglicism and can discuss its role in the modern German language. Your grammar should be flawless, including the correct use of prepositions like 'gegenüber' (towards/vis-a-vis) which requires the dative case: 'eine unfaire Haltung gegenüber den Mitarbeitern'.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of the word 'unfair' and its place in the German linguistic landscape. You can use it with irony, sarcasm, or in highly specialized contexts like legal theory or philosophy. You understand the historical development of the word as a loanword and how its usage has evolved over the decades. You can analyze texts where 'unfair' is used to define social norms or to challenge power structures. You are also aware of very rare or regional variations and can use the word in any register, from slang to the most formal academic writing. You can explain the conceptual difference between 'unfair' (as a breach of procedural or competitive rules) and 'ungerecht' (as a breach of moral or universal justice) with great precision. Your ability to use the word is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

unfair in 30 Seconds

Unfair is a German adjective meaning 'unfair' or 'unjust'.
It is a loanword from English and is very common in sports and daily life.
It requires adjective endings when placed before a noun (e.g., ein unfairer Vorteil).
It is often used with the preposition 'zu' or 'gegenüber' when referring to people.

The German word unfair is a direct loanword from English, making it instantly recognizable to English speakers. However, its integration into the German language involves specific grammatical rules and cultural nuances that are essential for a learner to master. At its core, it describes actions, decisions, or situations that do not follow the rules of a game, the principles of justice, or the standards of decent interpersonal behavior. In German society, which often prides itself on 'Ordnung' (order) and 'Regeln' (rules), being called unfair is a significant reproach. It suggests a breach of the unspoken social contract where everyone is expected to have an equal opportunity or be judged by the same criteria.

Core Concept: The violation of equity or sportsmanship in a given context.
Social Context: Commonly used in sports, workplace disputes, school environments, and sibling rivalries.

Es ist absolut unfair, dass er mehr Zeit für die Prüfung bekommen hat als ich.

Translation: It is absolutely unfair that he got more time for the exam than I did.

While the word is an Anglicism, it has been fully naturalized. This means it takes on German adjective endings when used before a noun. For example, 'an unfair player' becomes 'ein unfairer Spieler'. This is a common point of confusion for beginners who might assume that because the word looks English, it stays static. In German, the word often carries a slightly more informal or emotional weight than its more formal counterpart, ungerecht. While ungerecht might be used to describe an unjust law or a systemic failure, unfair is the go-to word for a foul in soccer or a colleague taking credit for your work.

Der Schiedsrichter traf eine unfaire Entscheidung gegen unsere Mannschaft.

Synonym Focus: Unsportlich (unsportsmanlike) is a common alternative in competitive settings.

In everyday conversation, Germans use unfair to express frustration. Children are particularly fond of the phrase 'Das ist unfair!', often directed at parents or teachers. It serves as a powerful linguistic tool to challenge authority when the logic of a decision isn't transparent or seems biased. Interestingly, the concept of 'Fairness' (the noun) is also a widely used loanword in German, highlighting how deeply these English-origin concepts have permeated the German understanding of social conduct and competition.

Ich finde es unfair, dass du mir nicht die Wahrheit gesagt hast.

Using unfair correctly in German requires an understanding of two primary sentence structures: predicative and attributive. In the predicative use, the adjective follows a linking verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'bleiben' (to remain). In this case, the word does not change its form regardless of the gender or number of the subject. This is the simplest way to use the word and is very common in spoken German.

Seine Kritik war völlig unfair.

The second way to use it is attributively, where the adjective sits directly before a noun. This is where learners must apply German adjective endings. These endings depend on the gender of the noun (masculine, feminine, neuter), the number (singular or plural), and the case (nominative, accusative, dative, or genitive). For example, if you are talking about 'an unfair advantage' (ein unfairer Vorteil), the masculine nominative ending '-er' is added to 'unfair'.

Masculine Accusative: Er verschaffte sich einen unfairen Vorteil. (He gained an unfair advantage.)
Feminine Dative: Nach einer unfairen Behandlung kündigte sie den Job. (After unfair treatment, she quit the job.)

Another important aspect is the use of intensifying adverbs. Because unfair is a gradable adjective, you can use words like 'völlig' (completely), 'total' (totally), 'ziemlich' (quite), or 'etwas' (somewhat) to modify its intensity. In casual German, 'echt' (really) is frequently paired with it to emphasize a sense of indignation.

Das ist echt unfair von dir!

When comparing two things, the comparative form is unfairer and the superlative is am unfairsten. For instance, 'Dieses Jahr war die Verteilung der Aufgaben noch unfairer als letztes Jahr' (This year the distribution of tasks was even more unfair than last year). Note that the 'e' before the 'r' in the comparative can be tricky for English speakers who might want to say 'more unfair', which is grammatically incorrect in German.

Das war die unfairste Aktion des ganzen Spiels.

Common Collocations: unfairer Wettbewerb (unfair competition), unfairste Methode (most unfair method).

You will encounter the word unfair in a variety of real-life settings in Germany. One of the most prominent places is in the world of sports. Whether it's a professional Bundesliga match or a local amateur league, commentators, players, and fans constantly use it to describe fouls, bad refereeing, or unsportsmanlike conduct. It is often linked to the concept of 'Fairplay', another English loanword that is central to German sporting ethics.

Das Foul war extrem unfair und verdient eine rote Karte.

In the workplace, unfair is used during discussions about workload, promotions, and salary. A German employee might tell their 'Betriebsrat' (works council) that they feel they are being treated 'unfair behandelt' (treated unfairly). It is a key term in labor disputes and mediation. In these contexts, it often carries a weight of legal or semi-legal grievance, suggesting that the company is not adhering to the principle of equal treatment ('Gleichbehandlungsgrundsatz').

Media Usage: News reports on 'unfairer Wettbewerb' (unfair competition) between large corporations and small businesses.
Education: Students complaining about 'unfaire Noten' (unfair grades) or 'unfaire Prüfungsbedingungen' (unfair exam conditions).

On television, particularly in reality shows or talk shows, the word is used to highlight drama and interpersonal conflict. If a contestant feels cheated or ganged up on, they will inevitably use the word. It's also a staple in political debates. Politicians often accuse their opponents of using 'unfaire Mittel' (unfair means) or 'unfaire Rhetorik' to win over voters. This highlights that the word is not just about rules, but about the perceived moral integrity of an action.

Die Opposition kritisiert die unfaire Verteilung der Steuerlast.

Finally, in the digital world, you'll see it in gaming communities. German gamers use it to complain about 'unfairer Vorteil' (unfair advantage) due to cheating or 'Pay-to-Win' mechanics. In social media comments, it's used to call out perceived bias in reporting or moderation. Its versatility makes it one of the most useful adjectives in a learner's vocabulary for expressing dissatisfaction in a way that is immediately understood by native speakers.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using unfair in German is failing to decline the adjective. Because it looks exactly like the English word, there is a strong temptation to leave it unchanged. However, in German, if the adjective is placed before a noun, it must match the noun's gender, case, and number. Saying 'ein unfair Spiel' instead of 'ein unfaires Spiel' is a classic error that marks someone as a beginner.

Falsch: Er ist ein unfair Mann.
Richtig: Er ist ein unfairer Mann.

Another common pitfall is the confusion between unfair and ungerecht. While they are often interchangeable, ungerecht is more formal and carries a stronger moral or legal weight. Using unfair to describe a grave human rights violation might sound too trivial or colloquial. Conversely, using ungerecht to describe a small board game move might sound overly dramatic. Understanding the 'register' or level of seriousness is key.

Preposition Error: Using 'für' instead of 'zu' or 'gegenüber'. Don't say 'unfair für mich', say 'unfair zu mir' or 'mir gegenüber unfair'.
Word Order: In subordinate clauses, remember the verb moves to the end: '...weil es unfair ist'.

Pronunciation can also be an issue. While the word is spelled the same as in English, the German 'u' at the beginning is short and the 'r' at the end is often vocalized or pronounced with a slight friction depending on the regional accent. The stress should be clearly on the second syllable: /ʊnˈfɛːɐ̯/. English speakers often put too much emphasis on the 'un-', making it sound slightly 'off' to German ears.

Falsch: Das ist unfair gegenüber ihn.
Richtig: Das ist unfair gegenüber ihm.

Finally, avoid using 'unfair' as a noun without the proper capitalization and article. If you want to talk about 'unfairness' as a concept, you should use 'die Unfairness' (though 'die Ungerechtigkeit' is much more common). In German, all nouns must be capitalized. Some learners try to use 'unfair' as a noun in phrases like 'Das Unfair ist groß', which is completely incorrect. Stick to the adjective or the proper noun 'Fairness'.

To enrich your German vocabulary, it's helpful to know synonyms and related terms that can replace unfair depending on the specific context. The most direct alternative is ungerecht. This word is derived from 'Recht' (law/right) and 'gerecht' (just). It is the standard word for 'unjust' and is used in more formal, legal, or philosophical contexts. If a judge makes a bad ruling, it is ungerecht.

Unsportlich: Specifically used in sports to describe behavior that violates the spirit of the game, even if it doesn't break a specific rule.
Parteilich: Means 'biased' or 'partial'. If someone is unfair because they favor one side, this is a more precise word.
Einseitig: Literally 'one-sided'. Used when a decision or report only considers one perspective, making it unfair.

Es war ein unsportliches Verhalten, den Gegner zu beleidigen.

In colloquial German, you might hear words like fies or gemein. These translate more to 'mean' or 'nasty' but are often used in situations where someone is being unfair in a personal way. For example, a child might say 'Das ist fies!', when they think a rule is unfair. Another interesting word is unbillig, which is a formal, somewhat archaic legal term meaning 'inequitable' or 'unreasonable'. You will mostly see this in legal contracts or old literature.

Comparing unfair with willkürlich is also useful. Willkürlich means 'arbitrary'. If someone is being unfair because they are making decisions based on random whims rather than rules, willkürlich is the better word. For example, 'eine willkürliche Entscheidung' (an arbitrary decision). Understanding these nuances allows you to express yourself with much greater precision and sound more like a native speaker.

Die Notengebung war völlig willkürlich und damit unfair.

Opposite Terms: Fair, gerecht, objektiv (objective), unparteiisch (impartial).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word entered the German language alongside sports like football and tennis. Before that, Germans primarily used 'ungerecht'. The adoption of 'unfair' helped distinguish between moral/legal injustice and lack of sportsmanship.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʊnˈfɛːə/

US /ʊnˈfɛr/

The stress is on the second syllable: un-FAIR.

Rhymes With

Bär sehr mehr leer Heer Meer Speer Teer

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (UN-fair) like in some English dialects.
Pronouncing the 'u' like a long 'oo' sound.
Forgetting to vocalize the 'r' in the German way.
Making the 'ai' sound like a long 'i' (un-fire).
Pronouncing it exactly like English without the German phonetic nuances.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to recognize because it is identical to the English spelling.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of German adjective endings, which can be tricky.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is similar to English but has a specific German rhythm and stress.

Listening 1/5

Very easy to catch in a conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

gut schlecht nicht sein Spiel

Learn Next

gerecht ungerecht Ehrlichkeit Vorteil Regel

Advanced

unbillig verwerflich willkürlich diskriminierend

Grammar to Know

Adjective Endings (Mixed Declension)

Ein unfairer (masc. nom.) Mann, eine unfaire (fem. nom.) Frau.

Dative after 'gegenüber'

Er ist mir (dative) gegenüber unfair.

Comparative and Superlative

unfair -> unfairer -> am unfairsten.

Predicative vs Attributive

Das ist unfair (no ending). Das unfaire Spiel (with ending).

Word formation with 'un-'

fair -> unfair, glücklich -> unglücklich.

Examples by Level

Das ist unfair!

That is unfair!

Predicative use of the adjective; no ending needed.

Du bist unfair.

You are unfair.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Das Spiel ist unfair.

The game is unfair.

Adjective describing a neuter noun after the verb 'sein'.

Ist das unfair?

Is that unfair?

Interrogative sentence structure.

Er spielt unfair.

He plays unfairly.

Adverbial use of the adjective.

Nicht unfair sein!

Don't be unfair!

Imperative with a negation.

Das war unfair.

That was unfair.

Past tense of 'sein' (war).

Warum ist das unfair?

Why is that unfair?

Question with the interrogative 'warum'.

Er ist ein unfairer Spieler.

He is an unfair player.

Attributive use: masculine nominative ending -er.

Sie ist unfair zu mir.

She is unfair to me.

Preposition 'zu' + dative pronoun 'mir'.

Das war eine unfaire Entscheidung.

That was an unfair decision.

Attributive use: feminine nominative ending -e.

Ich finde das unfair.

I find that unfair.

Verb 'finden' + object + adjective.

Warum bist du so unfair?

Why are you so unfair?

Use of 'so' for emphasis.

Das ist ein unfaires Ergebnis.

That is an unfair result.

Attributive use: neuter nominative ending -es.

Sei nicht so unfair zu deinem Bruder.

Don't be so unfair to your brother.

Imperative + preposition 'zu' + dative noun.

Wir haben unfaire Regeln.

We have unfair rules.

Attributive use: plural nominative ending -e.

Die Behandlung im Büro war unfair.

The treatment in the office was unfair.

Predicative use describing a feminine noun.

Er hat einen unfairen Vorteil gegenüber uns.

He has an unfair advantage over us.

Attributive use: masculine accusative ending -en.

Ich finde es unfair, dass ich alles alleine machen muss.

I find it unfair that I have to do everything alone.

Subordinate clause starting with 'dass'.

Das war der unfairste Moment des Tages.

That was the most unfair moment of the day.

Superlative form 'unfairste'.

Sie wurde wegen einer unfairen Kritik entlassen.

She was fired because of an unfair criticism.

Preposition 'wegen' + genitive (or dative in spoken German).

Es ist unfairer als ich dachte.

It is more unfair than I thought.

Comparative form 'unfairer'.

Man sollte nicht unfair gegenüber anderen sein.

One should not be unfair towards others.

Preposition 'gegenüber' + dative plural.

Die unfairen Methoden der Konkurrenz sind bekannt.

The unfair methods of the competition are known.

Attributive use: plural nominative with definite article.

Der Preiswettbewerb in dieser Branche ist oft unfair.

Price competition in this industry is often unfair.

Used in a business context.

Es ist unfair, den Erfolg nur einer Person zuzuschreiben.

It is unfair to attribute the success to only one person.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Die Gewerkschaft kritisiert die unfairen Arbeitsbedingungen.

The union criticizes the unfair working conditions.

Plural accusative with definite article.

Trotz des unfairen Verhaltens blieb er ruhig.

Despite the unfair behavior, he remained calm.

Preposition 'trotz' + genitive neuter.

Wir müssen gegen unfaire Handelspraktiken vorgehen.

We must take action against unfair trade practices.

Preposition 'gegen' + accusative plural.

Das ist eine absolut unfaire Unterstellung.

That is an absolutely unfair insinuation.

Use of 'absolut' as an intensifier.

Er wurde durch unfaire Mittel zum Sieger.

He became the winner through unfair means.

Preposition 'durch' + accusative plural.

Ich empfinde diese Regelung als zutiefst unfair.

I perceive this regulation as deeply unfair.

Use of 'als' + adverb + adjective.

Die unfaire Verteilung von Ressourcen führt zu Konflikten.

The unfair distribution of resources leads to conflicts.

Formal academic usage.

Man warf ihm vor, eine unfaire Debatte zu führen.

He was accused of conducting an unfair debate.

Verb 'vorwerfen' + dative + infinitive clause.

Die Kritik war nicht nur hart, sondern auch unfair.

The criticism was not only harsh but also unfair.

Correlative conjunction 'nicht nur... sondern auch'.

Es ist eine unfaire Annahme, dass alle so denken.

It is an unfair assumption that everyone thinks that way.

Complex sentence with an appositive clause.

Die unfairen Vorteile der Elite werden oft thematisiert.

The unfair advantages of the elite are often discussed.

Passive voice construction.

Er fühlte sich durch das unfaire Urteil tief gekränkt.

He felt deeply offended by the unfair judgment.

Past participle used as an adjective.

In einem unfairen System kann niemand wirklich gewinnen.

In an unfair system, no one can truly win.

Dative neuter after 'in' (location).

Sie wehrte sich gegen die unfaire Behandlung durch die Presse.

She defended herself against the unfair treatment by the press.

Reflexive verb 'sich wehren gegen'.

Die Subtilität, mit der unfaire Strukturen aufrechterhalten werden, ist erschreckend.

The subtlety with which unfair structures are maintained is frightening.

Complex relative clause.

Es wäre vermessen, die unfaire Natur des Schicksals zu leugnen.

It would be presumptuous to deny the unfair nature of fate.

Philosophical context.

Die unfaire Diskriminierung marginalisierter Gruppen ist ein strukturelles Problem.

The unfair discrimination of marginalized groups is a structural problem.

Sociopolitical terminology.

Jenseits der unfairen Rhetorik verbirgt sich eine klare Agenda.

Beyond the unfair rhetoric lies a clear agenda.

Preposition 'jenseits' + genitive.

Das unfaire Ausnutzen von Wissensvorsprüngen ist ethisch fragwürdig.

The unfair exploitation of knowledge advantages is ethically questionable.

Nominalized infinitive 'Ausnutzen'.

Man kann die unfaire Behandlung nicht einfach mit Sachzwängen rechtfertigen.

One cannot simply justify unfair treatment with factual constraints.

Use of 'Sachzwänge' (inherent necessities).

Ein unfaires Vorgehen untergräbt langfristig das Vertrauen in die Institutionen.

Unfair proceedings undermine trust in institutions in the long run.

Subject as a noun phrase.

Die unfairste aller Möglichkeiten wurde schließlich gewählt.

The most unfair of all possibilities was finally chosen.

Superlative with a partitive genitive.

Common Collocations

unfairer Wettbewerb

unfairer Vorteil

unfaire Behandlung

unfaire Kritik

unfaire Mittel

unfaire Verteilung

unfaire Bedingungen

unfaire Noten

unfaire Praktiken

unfaire Entscheidung

Common Phrases

Das ist total unfair!

— Used to express strong disagreement or frustration with a situation. It is very common in emotional outbursts.

Das ist total unfair, ich war zuerst da!

Unfair behandelt werden

— To be treated in a way that is not just or equal. Often used in workplace or social contexts.

Ich fühle mich in diesem Team unfair behandelt.

Mit unfairen Mitteln kämpfen

— To use dishonest or tricky methods to win. Often used in politics or sports.

Die Partei kämpft mit unfairen Mitteln im Wahlkampf.

Unfair zu jemandem sein

— To act without justice or kindness toward a specific person. Common in relationships.

Sei bitte nicht so unfair zu deiner Schwester.

Eine unfaire Chance

— A situation where success is nearly impossible due to external bias. Used in competition.

Wir hatten von Anfang an eine unfaire Chance.

Jemandem gegenüber unfair sein

— A more formal way to say someone is being unfair to another person. Uses the dative case.

Er war seinen Kollegen gegenüber oft unfair.

Das unfairste Spiel

— Referring to a competition that was heavily biased or rigged. Used by fans and players.

Das war das unfairste Spiel der gesamten Saison.

Unfaire Vorwürfe

— Accusations that are not based on facts or are exaggerated. Common in arguments.

Hör auf mit diesen unfairen Vorwürfen!

Ein unfairen Zug machen

— In games like chess or board games, making a move that is tricky or breaks etiquette.

Das war ein unfairer Zug, das wusstest du!

Unfairerweise

— The adverbial form meaning 'unfairly'. Used to describe how something happened.

Er hat unfairerweise den Job bekommen.

Often Confused With

unfair vs ungerecht

Ungerecht is more formal and used for systemic or moral issues, while unfair is for rules and personal behavior.

unfair vs fies

Fies means 'mean' or 'nasty' and is more colloquial than unfair.

unfair vs unsportlich

Specifically for sports; you wouldn't call a tax law 'unsportlich', but you would call it 'unfair' or 'ungerecht'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Unter die Gürtellinie gehen"

— To go below the belt. To say something very personal and unfair during an argument.

Deine Bemerkung über seine Familie ging echt unter die Gürtellinie.

informal

"Mit harten Bandagen kämpfen"

— To fight with hard bandages. To use very tough, sometimes unfair, methods to achieve a goal.

Im Wahlkampf wird mit harten Bandagen gekämpft.

neutral

"Jemanden über den Tisch ziehen"

— To pull someone over the table. To cheat or treat someone unfairly in a business deal.

Pass auf, dass er dich beim Autokauf nicht über den Tisch zieht.

informal

"Mit gezinkten Karten spielen"

— To play with marked cards. To act in a dishonest and unfair way in a competition or deal.

Ich habe das Gefühl, sie spielen mit gezinkten Karten.

neutral

"Wasser predigen und Wein trinken"

— To preach water and drink wine. To be a hypocrite, which is seen as unfair to those following the rules.

Der Chef verlangt Sparsamkeit, kauft aber einen neuen Porsche. Er predigt Wasser und trinkt Wein.

neutral

"Jemandem Steine in den Weg legen"

— To put stones in someone's path. To make things unfairly difficult for someone.

Die Bürokratie legt uns ständig Steine in den Weg.

neutral

"Ein abgekartetes Spiel"

— A rigged game. A situation where the outcome was unfairly decided beforehand.

Die Wahl war ein abgekartetes Spiel.

neutral

"Zweierlei Maß anlegen"

— To use two different measures. To judge people by different standards, which is unfair.

Man darf hier nicht zweierlei Maß anlegen.

neutral

"Jemanden im Regen stehen lassen"

— To leave someone standing in the rain. To unfairly abandon someone when they need help.

In der Krise hat er seine Freunde im Regen stehen lassen.

informal

"Die Ellenbogen ausfahren"

— To push out the elbows. To act ruthlessly and unfairly to get ahead of others.

In dieser Firma muss man die Ellenbogen ausfahren.

informal

Easily Confused

unfair vs ungerecht

Both translate to 'unfair' in many contexts.

Ungerecht relates to 'Recht' (justice/law). Unfair relates more to the 'spirit' of a game or interaction. You can have an unfair game, but an ungerecht law.

Die Steuer ist ungerecht. Das Spiel war unfair.

unfair vs parteiisch

Being biased makes you unfair.

Parteiisch means taking a side. Unfair is the general result of being biased or breaking rules.

Der Schiedsrichter war parteiisch, deshalb war das Spiel unfair.

unfair vs unbillig

It's an old-fashioned word for unfair.

Unbillig is strictly legal and formal. You will never hear a child say 'Das ist unbillig!'.

Die Forderung ist unbillig.

unfair vs willkürlich

Arbitrary decisions are often unfair.

Willkürlich means 'random' or 'based on whim'. Unfair means 'not according to rules of equity'.

Die Auswahl war willkürlich und daher unfair.

unfair vs gemein

Both express that something isn't nice.

Gemein is 'mean' or 'cruel'. Unfair is specifically about lack of justice/equality.

Es ist gemein, ihn zu schlagen. Es ist unfair, ihm keine Chance zu geben.

Sentence Patterns

Das ist [Adjektiv].

Das ist unfair.

[Person] ist unfair zu [Person].

Er ist unfair zu mir.

Ich finde es unfair, dass [Nebensatz].

Ich finde es unfair, dass er mehr Geld bekommt.

Ein(e) [Adjektiv+Endung] [Nomen].

Ein unfairer Vorteil.

Wegen [Genitiv Nomen] ...

Wegen der unfairen Behandlung kündigte er.

Es ist eine unfaire [Nomen], dass...

Es ist eine unfaire Unterstellung, dass ich lüge.

[Dativ] gegenüber unfair sein.

Man sollte seinen Feinden gegenüber nicht unfair sein.

Die unfairste aller [Plural Nomen].

Das war die unfairste aller Entscheidungen.

Word Family

Nouns

Fairness

Unfairness (rarely used, 'Ungerechtigkeit' is preferred)

Adjectives

fair

unfair

gerecht

ungerecht

Fairplay

Gerechtigkeit

Recht

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written German.

Common Mistakes

Ein unfair Spiel. → Ein unfaires Spiel.
You forgot the neuter nominative adjective ending '-es'.
Er ist unfair für mich. → Er ist unfair zu mir.
In German, we use 'zu' or 'gegenüber' with 'unfair', not 'für'.
UN-fair (stress on first syllable). → un-FAIR (stress on second syllable).
The stress in German is on the second syllable for this word.
Das ist ein unfairer Entscheidung. → Das ist eine unfaire Entscheidung.
'Entscheidung' is feminine, so the ending must be '-e' after 'eine'.
Die Unfair ist groß. → Die Unfairness ist groß. / Die Ungerechtigkeit ist groß.
'Unfair' is an adjective, not a noun. Use 'Unfairness' or 'Ungerechtigkeit'.

Tips

Adjective Endings

Don't forget the endings! 'Ein unfairer Mann' (masc), 'Eine unfaire Frau' (fem), 'Ein unfaires Spiel' (neut).

Synonym Power

Use 'unsportlich' when talking about games to sound more like a native sports fan.

Stress it Right

Always stress the 'fair' part of the word, not the 'un' part.

Prepositions

Use 'zu' or 'gegenüber' when saying someone is unfair to someone else.

Fairplay

Remember that Fairness is a high value in German society, especially in sports.

Adverbial Form

Use 'unfairerweise' to add variety to your writing when you mean 'unfairly'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'ungerecht', think of 'unfair' but more serious.

Emphasis

Add 'echt' or 'total' before 'unfair' to show you are really annoyed.

Fair vs Unfair

Both are loanwords! If you know one, you know the other.

Cognate Advantage

Since it's a cognate, focus your energy on learning the adjective endings rather than the meaning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'fair' (carnival). If someone cheats at a carnival game, they are 'un-fair'. In German, it's the same word, just remember the stress is on the 'fair'!

Visual Association

Imagine a soccer referee pulling out a red card for a player who tripped another. The word 'UNFAIR' is glowing in neon above the player.

Word Web

unfair ungerecht unsportlich Vorteil Schiedsrichter Spiel Regeln Fairness

Challenge

Try to use 'unfair' in a sentence today to complain about something small, like the weather or a long line at the supermarket. 'Das Wetter ist heute echt unfair!'

Word Origin

Borrowed from the English word 'unfair' in the 19th century, primarily through the influence of sports culture.

Original meaning: The English 'unfair' comes from Old English 'un-' (not) + 'fæger' (beautiful, bright, pleasant). Over time, the meaning shifted from 'not beautiful' to 'not just'.

Germanic (via English loanword).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it in a professional setting; it can sound accusatory. Using 'unangemessen' (inappropriate) might be safer in some formal situations.

The usage is almost identical to English, but German speakers might use it slightly more often in formal business contexts regarding competition law.

The 'Gesetz gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb' (UWG) is the German law against unfair competition. The term 'Fairplay' is used by the German Football Association (DFB) in their youth programs. Many German pop songs use 'unfair' to describe heartbreak or bad luck.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Sports

Ein unfaires Foul.
Der Schiedsrichter war unfair.
Unsportliches Verhalten.
Sich einen Vorteil verschaffen.

School/University

Unfaire Noten.
Die Prüfung war unfair.
Er hat beim Test geschummelt, das ist unfair.
Unfaire Lehrer.

Workplace

Unfaire Bezahlung.
Unfaire Arbeitszeiten.
Mein Chef ist unfair zu mir.
Unfairer Wettbewerb.

Family/Friends

Sei nicht unfair!
Das ist unfair gegenüber den anderen.
Warum bist du so unfair?
Eine unfaire Aufteilung.

Politics/Law

Unfaire Gesetze.
Eine unfaire Debatte.
Unfaire Handelspraktiken.
Unfaire Behandlung von Minderheiten.

Conversation Starters

"Findest du es unfair, dass manche Leute so viel mehr verdienen als andere?"

"Hast du dich jemals in der Schule unfair behandelt gefühlt?"

"Was war der unfairste Moment, den du je in einem Sportspiel gesehen hast?"

"Glaubst du, dass das Leben im Allgemeinen unfair ist?"

"Wie reagierst du, wenn jemand unfair zu dir ist?"

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du dich unfair behandelt gefühlt hast. Was ist passiert?

Ist 'unfair' dasselbe wie 'ungerecht'? Erkläre deine Meinung.

Beschreibe einen Moment, in dem du selbst vielleicht unfair zu jemand anderem warst.

Warum ist Fairness in einer Gesellschaft so wichtig?

Denke an einen Film oder ein Buch, in dem eine unfaire Entscheidung eine große Rolle spielt.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, when it is used attributively (before a noun). For example: 'ein unfairer Kampf'. If it comes after the verb, it stays 'unfair': 'Der Kampf war unfair'.

It is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper or a conversation. However, for very formal legal contexts, 'ungerecht' or 'unbillig' is better.

The opposite is 'fair'. Just like in English, it is used very frequently in German.

It is better to say 'unfair zu mir' or 'mir gegenüber unfair'. 'Für mich' sounds like a direct translation from English and is less common.

The noun is 'die Fairness' (loanword) or 'die Unfairness'. However, 'die Ungerechtigkeit' is the most common way to say 'unfairness'.

The stress is on the second syllable: un-FAIR.

Yes, especially if you are talking about sports, competition, or personal behavior. For social justice, use 'ungerecht'.

You can use the adjective as an adverb: 'Er hat unfair gespielt'. Or use the specific adverb 'unfairerweise'.

Yes, it is extremely common. You will hear it in almost every domain of life.

The superlative is 'am unfairsten' or 'der/die/das unfairste'.