Looking up...
Unaufmerksamkeit
/ˌʔʊnʔaʊfˈmɛʁkzaːmkaɪ̯t/
inattention
Seine Unaufmerksamkeit beim Autofahren führte zu einem Unfall.
His inattention while driving led to an accident.
general
lack of attention or focus
Die Unaufmerksamkeit der Schüler während des Vortrags war auffällig.
The students' inattention during the lecture was noticeable.
Often used in educational, workplace, or safety contexts to describe a state of being distracted.
formal
negligence or carelessness due to lack of attention
Die Unaufmerksamkeit des Personals wurde als Hauptgrund für den Fehler im Protokoll genannt.
The staff's inattention was cited as the main reason for the error in the report.
Can imply a failure to meet expected standards of care.
Collocations
Unaufmerksamkeit bei der Arbeitinattention at workUnaufmerksamkeit im Straßenverkehrinattention while driving
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Distinguishing from related terms
Unaufmerksamkeit refers to a temporary state of distraction, not a chronic condition like ADHD. It’s often situational (e.g., tiredness, noise).
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'Unaufmerksamkeit' for brief lapses in focus. For deliberate neglect, consider 'Nachlässigkeit' or 'Sorglosigkeit'.
Word Origin
From 'un-' (negation prefix) + 'Aufmerksamkeit' (attention), dating to the 18th century. Literally 'lack of attention'.
Usage Notes
Common in both spoken and written German, especially in contexts where focus is critical (e.g., driving, education, or workplace safety). Can carry a slightly formal tone.
Word Breakdown
un-
negation
prefixAufmerksamkeit
attention
rootDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch