irrécupérable

beyond recovery, irredeemable

adjective ee-reh-koo-peh-RAH-bluh Rare

Also means

hopeless (person)

Usage Note

Irrécupérable applies to broken objects that cannot be repaired (une voiture irrécupérable) and informally to people who are beyond reform or help (un cas irrécupérable). The verb récupérer means to recover or salvage, so the prefix ir- marks a total impossibility. It carries a note of resignation or dark humour.

Examples

"Ce vieux moteur est complètement irrécupérable."

Natural Translation

This old engine is completely beyond repair.

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