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Garagenvertrag
Zeugnis des Gymnasiums

Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

angepasst

English translation:

unobtrusive, avoids conflict, tends to blend in with the group, conformist

Added to glossary by Susan Welsh
Mar 16, 2018 16:10
6 yrs ago
7 viewers *
German term

angepasst

German to English Bus/Financial Human Resources
Er zeigt generell gute Leistungen, ist eher zurückhaltend und angepasst.

He is reserved and angepasst. Well adjusted, well adapted, or something less positive, like "compliant"?
Proposed translations (English)
2 +2 unobtrusive
4 amenable
4 tends to blend in with the group
4 conforming
3 complacent
Change log

Mar 17, 2018 12:23: Steffen Walter changed "Field (write-in)" from "Human Resources" to "(none)"

Mar 17, 2018 18:39: Susan Welsh changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/625898">Susan Welsh's</a> old entry - "angepasst"" to ""unobtrusive, avoids conflict, tends to blend it with the group, conformist""

Discussion

Susan Welsh (asker) Mar 17, 2018:
It's not a job reference or a certificate It's a questionnaire for prospective employees for a leadership position, where they are supposed to say how they would respond to various situations. The answers don't go to anybody but the HR people, but the choice of answers (this is part of one) is determined by whoever wrote the questionnaire.
Anne Schulz Mar 17, 2018:
@Johannes I am not sure if this is from a job reference, rather understood it to be a response/defense from a supervisor who was criticised by an employee and tries to explain her behaviours without blatantly putting him down. I trust that Susan will know how negative or not "avoids conflict" may come across, and how negative such a statement may or may not be in an English dispute.
Anne Schulz Mar 17, 2018:
@Susan Not quite a euphemism, more like an ambiguous term with positive and negative meanings, depending on context. If you say, "er ist angepasst" about an immigrant, it could be a mostly positive statement meaning he adapted well to his new environment. If you say "er ist angepasst" about an autonomous adult asking for protection, it sounds like "he should be bold enough to speak out for himself and defend his own interest, but he does not seem able to do that".
Michael Martin, MA Mar 17, 2018:
My take "Blend in with the group" could go either way; Björn is right about that. My entry, however, reads "tends to blend in.." which puts a negative spin on it. "Avoids conflict" sounds like a workaround to me. Firstly, negative definitions are much easier to do than positive definitions. Secondly, if you zoom in on one narrow aspect, you don't cover the full meaning. For instance, it's entirely possible to envision a work environment where certain employees desperately try to avoid conflict, and yet, they get bullied or mocked because they don't know how to blend in.
Susan Welsh (asker) Mar 17, 2018:
@Anne "'Angepasst' is the kind of language used in job references where no negative attributes are allowed and employers therefore have developed a sophisticated system of statements based on seemingly positive words which other employers (and sometimes the whole world) can easily read as an actually ambiguous, negative, or even devastating verdict."
Ah! A euphemism! Now I begin to see better why this seemingly simple word confused me and has generated so much (helpful) discussion here.
Johannes Gleim Mar 17, 2018:
@ Anne I agree with your statement that German employers are not allowed to certify negative attributes. We should observe this rule during translating certificates, too, and cannot replace ambiguous attributes by negative attributes like "avoids conflicts", or similar. Björn did not enter his explanations as answer accordingly.
Anne Schulz Mar 17, 2018:
@Susan I think the key to "what the German word means in context" is in your explanation to my answer. The supervisor probably says in a roundabout way that the "He" is not able to stand up for his needs, because he is kind of shy (zurückhaltend) and avoids to offend or rub someone the wrong way. "Angepasst" is the kind of language used in job references where no negative attributes are allowed and employers therefore have developed a sophisticated system of statements based on seemingly positive words which other employers (and sometimes the whole world) can easily read as an actually ambiguous, negative, or even devastating verdict.<br /><br />NB: I agree with you that Björn should go ahead and post his "avoids conflict" as an answer ;-)
Björn Vrooman Mar 17, 2018:
Hello Susan "Does that mean you are..."

Quite the opposite, I think. Most people on here do post a lot of answers--I don't. If I were, I'd be "following suit."

Another reason why I didn't is that I was and am a bit pressed for time. I added the Huffington Post link in the hopes that some of what they wrote there could be of use to you.

Actually, I'd say Michael was half-right in his since-retracted answer that "angepasst" typically isn't a word to shower praise on someone, but I really wouldn't go as far as saying that "angepasst" is a license to kill.

And yes, you're blending in, but that's usually a positive attribute. It's more like you don't "show initiative" or, if you want an adjective: "assertive."

My biggest concern is that this may end up sounding unnatural in the context of a conversation or some report.

Best
Susan Welsh (asker) Mar 17, 2018:
@Björn and others Your suggestion of "avoids conflict" seems popular, but as usual you didn't post an answer. Does that mean you are "angepasst"?
PS to German native speakers: It is not helpful to post references to the English words you are suggesting as translations, since I, as a native English speaker, know very well what they mean. What I don't know is what the German word means in context! The more so since, oddly enough, none of the usual online bilingual dictionaries (dict.cc, leo, linguee) have translations that correspond to our discussion here. They are all about being adapted, adjusted, suitable, and other more positive qualities.
Johannes Gleim Mar 17, 2018:
@ Susan Um die genaueste Übereinstimmung zwischen "angepasst sein" und den nachstehenden Vorschlägen zu finden, ist es sinnvoll, den Duden nach der Bedeutung zu fragen. Ich habe diese Informationen meiner Antwort angehängt, weil der Platz in der Diskussion dafür nicht reicht.

Was aus meinem Sprachgefühl sonst noch im dem Wort mitschwingt, ist eine gewisse Unterwürfigkeit, Verzicht auf eigene Meinung und der Gehorsam Vorgesetzten gegenüber, der im Extremfall bis zur Ausführung von Mord und Totschlag reichen kann, was sich besonders drastisch im Verhalten von Soldaten zeigt.
Björn Vrooman Mar 16, 2018:
@Susan In other words:

He is not the kind of guy to stand out from the crowd. Maybe that helps some.

RE "angepasst": avoids confrontation and conflict

RE "zurückhaltend": That's more likely to be "shy," especially considering your reply to Anne.

He's the "quiet type." That'd be shorter.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/09/shy-people-annoyan...

Best
philgoddard Mar 16, 2018:
Three answers Zero references.

Proposed translations

+2
43 mins
Selected

unobtrusive

Any evidence from the remainder of the text, whether the person writing this meant to make a positive, ambiguous, or negative statement?


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2018-03-16 18:53:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In that case, Björns "avoids conflict" may be a reasonable option.
Note from asker:
Not really. This person is complaining to his supervisor that she did not give fair consideration to his interests when deciding who goes on vacation when. He thinks she should be more hands-on, but she wants the workers to figure it out among themselves. She concedes that "er wahrscheinlich nicht alleine durchsetzen kann." I can't give more quotes because of the NDA.
Peer comment(s):
agree Lancashireman : with 'avoids conflict'. It doesn't have to be is + adjective in EN.
2 hrs
agree Kim Metzger
4 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I picked this mainly because Anne's discussion was particularly helpful. The answers by Michael, Johannes, and Björn seemed good also. The overall discussion will be of more use to future Kudozers than a particular answer."
37 mins

amenable

Open to persuasion or suggestion.
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

tends to blend in with the group

I think, that's what's at the core of the German term.
Note from asker:
Unfortunately, though, you also deleted your comment that in modern German it almost always has a negative connotation, which I didn't know and which might be helpful to future readers. :-(
Peer comment(s):
neutral Lancashireman : What happened to your previous version ('docile')? // It's a change for the better (docile dogs, docile inmates, docile hostages).
1 hr
​I like to replace an initial solution with a new entry as people don't always notice when a solution has evolved
Something went wrong...
17 hrs

complacent

Zurückhaltend und angepasst might mean reticent and complacent.

I would prefer them summed up as "reluctant to stir things up" or something.
Something went wrong...
3 hrs

conforming

Betreff kein Angepasster, kein Karrieremensch 2 Antworten

Quellen
Er erkennt sehr rasch den Unterschied zwischen einem Industrieschauspieler und einer wahrhaftigen Führungskraft. Er ist kein „Ja-Sager“, er ist kein Angepasster, er ist kein Karrieremensch.
He's not a "yes-man", he's not a follower, he's not obsessed with his career.
Or...
he doesn't conform, he's not in it for the career (i.e. status)...??

From a management programme evaluation of a participant.
Thanks!
Verfasser Rose2007 (379266) 12 Dez 15, 15:26
Kommentar
conformist
careerist
https://dict.leo.org/forum/viewUnsolvedquery.php?idThread=13...

Also "non-conform", bzw. Im Kontex "conforming".

This is an excellent resource to use as a template for creating a policy within your agency regarding support for transgender and other gender non-conforming staff, and in particular the transitioning of transgender personnel.
https://nicic.gov/transgender-and-other-gender-non-conformin...

Conforming To Employers’ Dress Code May Cost Employee
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/10/24/conforming-to-em...

Conforming means being similar and adhering to the norm or standard. In doing so, it does not mean you are changing the person you are, but in a business environment, it may mean that while you are on the company premise, you may act or do things differently. That is, you follow policies and rules established by your company that normally outside of work you might souse to handle differently.
https://books.google.de/books?id=iA6oI7otg0QC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA...


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 Stunden (2018-03-17 10:40:36 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Anmerkung: Statt der Verlaufform "conforming to" kann man auch die normale Form " he conforms to" verwenden.

Erklärungen aus dem Duden zu "angepasst":

angepasst
Adjektiv - a. den Gegebenheiten angemessen; b. (von Personen) konformistisch; sich [aus …
Zum vollständigen Artikel
Angepasstheit
Substantiv, feminin - Zustand des Angepasstseins
Zum vollständigen Artikel
Anzeige
nonkonform
Adjektiv - nicht angepasst; nonkonformistisch
Zum vollständigen Artikel
https://www.duden.de/suchen/dudenonline/angepasst

Rechtschreibung
Worttrennung: an|ge|passt
Bedeutungsübersicht
1. den Gegebenheiten angemessen
2. (von Personen) konformistisch; sich [aus opportunistischen Gründen] arrangiert habend

Synonyme zu angepasst
• am Platz, angebracht, entsprechend, gebührend, gebührendermaßen, gebührenderweise, geeignet, gehörig, gemäß, gemessen, passend, recht, richtig bemessen, schuldig, verhältnismäßig, wie es sich gehört, zukommend, zustehend; (gehoben) angezeigt, geboten, geziemend, schicklich; (bildungssprachlich) adäquat; (umgangssprachlich) ordentlich; (veraltend) gebührlich; (Rechtssprache, sonst veraltend) billig
• angeglichen, eingegliedert, etabliert, integriert, konform; (bildungssprachlich) konformistisch, uniform; (bildungssprachlich, oft abwertend) uniformiert; (abwertend) spießbürgerlich; (meist abwertend) gleichgeschaltet; (umgangssprachlich abwertend) spießig
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/angepasst

non­kon­form
Wortart: ℹ Adjektiv
Gebrauch: bildungssprachlich
Häufigkeit: ℹ▮▮▯▯▯
Anzeige
Rechtschreibung
Worttrennung: non|kon|form
Bedeutungsübersicht
nicht angepasst; nonkonformistisch (1)
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/nonkonform
Peer comment(s):
neutral Lancashireman : "He is conforming." To what?
2 hrs
conforming to peers behaviour, rules, etc., agreeing to the majority and accepting their opinion. Please consider that the term "angepasst" has no object in the context, either.
Something went wrong...
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