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German Emotional Concepts

In German, some emotions are captured in single words so precise that they have even been adopted into the English language:​

 

Tja, Schadenfreude ist eben doch die schönste Freude.

Well, schadenfreude is still the best kind of enjoyment [German saying].

Caption 36, Umweltlernen Propellerpflanzen am Kräutertag

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Wer von uns hat nicht ab und zu mal Fernweh.

Who among us doesn't have wanderlust from time to time.

Caption 3, WissensWerte: Tourismus und Nachhaltigkeit

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banner2 PLACEHOLDER

The word das Fernweh above is similar to wanderlust (which is also a German word), the urge to travel and see the unknown. Its opposite is das Heimweh, or "homesickness."

 

Ja, Heimweh. Das ist wenn man traurig ist und nach Hause möchte.

Yes, homesick. That's when you're sad and want to go home.

Caption 13, Nicos Weg: Leben in Deutschland

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These feelings are generally not spoken about in the first person, but more as concepts that one relates to. 

 

Wenn die Gedanken springen und das Kopfkino nicht mehr aufhört.

When my thoughts jump and the images in my head won't stop.

Caption 11, Lika Doss: Schlaflos

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Offenbar besteht aber bei vielen Menschen eine große Sehnsucht nach diesem alten Wissen.

Apparently, however, there is a great longing among many people for this ancient knowledge.

Captions 28-29, Deutsch mit Eylin: Die vier Elemente

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Dein Herzschlag und dein Atem geben mir Geborgenheit.

Your heartbeat and your breath give me comfort.

Caption 66, Singer-Songwriter: Sebastian Niklaus

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Zu Weihnachten wünsch ich mir Stunden voller Zweisamkeit.

For Christmas, I wish for hours of just the two of us together.

Caption 13, Allessa: Zu Weihnachten wünsch ich mir dich

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Also man kann sich „fremdschämen."

So, you can "be ashamed on someone else's behalf."

Caption 17, Rhein-Main-TV Was kann die deutsche Sprache?

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Further Learning
You'll find more examples with these words on Yabla German. For a deeper dive, an interesting article on this topic as a cultural phenomenon can be read on the Guardian

 

More German Verbs for "Assume"

In a previous lesson, we saw examples of the verb annehmen and the verb / preposition combination davon ausgehen translated as "to assume." These are among the most common words for "assume," but let's take a look today at some more German verbs that can also be translated as "assume."

 

Ja, vorausgesetzt, Sie unterschreiben dieses Schuldbekenntnis.

Yes, assuming you sign this confession.

Caption 24, Marga Engel schlägt zurück; Der Engel von Leipzig

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The separable verb voraussetzen is also commonly translated as "to provide," in the sense of fulfilling a condition.

 

Es wird allerdings auch behauptet oder vermutet.

However, it is also claimed or assumed.

Caption 8, Es war einmal... der Mensch: Der Neandertaler

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The verb vermuten is also often translated as "to suspect," "to presume," or "to expect."

 

Trifft ein Goalgetter mal nicht das Tor, wird ihm sehr schnell eine Formkrise unterstellt.

If a goal-getter doesn't make a goal, a lack of form is very quickly assumed.

Caption 7, Fußball und die Frauenwelt: Der Goalgetter

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The verb unterstellen may also be translated as "to imply," depending upon the context.

 

All of the verbs above deal with the definition of "to assume" as "to take for granted or as true." But there are also definitions of "to assume" that mean "to place oneself in," or "to feign," or "to take over" something such as a debt or responsibility.

 

Deshalb bin ich der Ansicht, dass Kapitän Dickie, der sehr erfahren ist, das Kommando übernehmen soll.

Therefore, I am of the opinion that Captain Dickie, who is very experienced, should assume command.

Captions 26-27, Es war einmal... der Weltraum: Die Saurier

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Du sollst hier auch mal ein bisschen Verantwortung übernehmen.

You should also for once assume a little responsibility.

Caption 21, Großstadtrevier: Von Monstern und Mördern

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The verb übernehmen may also be translated as "to take over."

 

Tourismus spielt hier und in vielen anderen Ländern eine immer wichtigere Rolle.

Here and in many other countries, tourism is assuming an increasingly important role.

Caption 5, WissensWerte: Tourismus und Nachhaltigkeit

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The verb spielen is often translated in this context as "playing" a role, however "assuming" a role may be an equally valid option.

 

The verbs anmaßen and mutmaßen are occasionally translated as "to assume," but often anmaßen is more accurately translated as "to presume," and mutmaßen as "to conjecture" or "to speculate."

 

Further Learning
Go to Yabla German and search for the verbs above to see the various German translations in a real-world context.