Skip to content

desolat

desolate, wretched, in a sorry state

adjective de-zo-LAHT Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Conditions

Origin: from Latin desolatus (abandoned)

Also means

dire, dismal

Usage Note

desolat describes a state of thorough disorder or hopelessness — desolate Zustände, eine desolate Finanzlage. It can describe a bleak physical environment or an organisation in severe disarray. More formal and emphatic than schlecht.

Examples

"Der Zustand des alten Gebäudes war schlicht desolat."

Natural Translation

The state of the old building was simply desolate.

Literal Translation

The condition of the old building was simply desolate.

Explore German by topic