die Abneigung
aversion
A strong feeling of reluctance, dislike, or antipathy toward a person, thing, or activity.
EXAMPLE
Sie hegt eine tiefe Abneigung gegen unehrliche Menschen.
She harbors a deep aversion to dishonest people.
die Abneigung
aversion
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of the prefix 'ab-' (away) and the verb 'neigen' (to tend/lean). An 'Abneigung' (aversion) is therefore literally a 'leaning away' from something or someone.
EXAMPLE
Er neigt dazu, bei Stress zu viel zu essen.
He tends to eat too much when stressed.
Fixed preposition
'Abneigung' (aversion) is always directed 'gegen' (against/toward) a person or thing. This preposition takes the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe eine starke Abneigung gegen Spinnen.
I have a strong aversion to spiders.
Typical verbs
'Abneigung' (aversion) is often combined with verbs that express a feeling. Typical phrases are 'eine Abneigung haben' (to have an aversion), 'eine Abneigung empfinden' (to feel an aversion), or the somewhat elevated 'eine Abneigung hegen' (to harbor an aversion).
EXAMPLE
Er empfindet eine tiefe Abneigung gegen laute Musik.
He feels a deep aversion to loud music.
Compare with
Abneigung vs Ablehnung
rejection
Here, Ablehnung refers to the decision not to accept a proposal. Abneigung, on the other hand, is an inner feeling of aversion to the proposal. Someone who consciously says no is showing Ablehnung; someone who already finds the proposal unpleasant on an emotional level feels Abneigung.
Abneigung
Mia spürte sofort eine starke Abneigung gegen den Vorschlag.
Mia immediately felt a strong aversion to the proposal.
Ablehnung
Mia erklärte ihre Ablehnung des Vorschlags in der Sitzung.
Mia explained her rejection of the proposal at the meeting.
In real life
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