hunch / idea
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hunch
An indefinite feeling, a suspicion, or a vague idea that something specific is the case or will happen. Synonyms include intuition or premonition.
Ich hatte von Anfang an die Ahnung, dass etwas nicht stimmt.
From the beginning, I had a hunch that something was wrong.
to have no idea
A fixed expression that means that you do not know something or do not understand anything about a topic.
Frag mich nicht nach dem Weg, ich habe keine Ahnung, wo wir sind.
Don't ask me for directions; I have no idea where we are.
'Die Ahnung' (hunch/idea) belongs to the word family of the verb 'ahnen' (to suspect/sense), which means 'to feel or suspect something vaguely.' An 'Ahnung' is therefore the feeling or suspicion itself.
Er ahnte, dass es Probleme geben würde.
He suspected that there would be problems.
In the meaning 'Vermutung' (suspicion), 'Ahnung' (hunch) is usually used with the verb 'haben' (to have). The exact suspicion is often added with a 'dass' clause or an 'ob' clause.
Ich habe die Ahnung, dass er heute nicht mehr kommt.
I have a hunch that he won't come anymore today.
The expression 'keine Ahnung haben' (to have no idea) is a fixed phrase that is used very often in colloquial language and simply means 'I don't know.'
„Wie spät ist es?“ – „Keine Ahnung!“
'What time is it?' – 'No idea!'
After the expression 'keine Ahnung haben' (to have no idea), you can specify the topic with 'von + dative' or with a subordinate clause (indirect question).
Er hat keine Ahnung von moderner Kunst.
He has no idea about modern art.
to know
Wissen refers to existing knowledge of information. „Keine Ahnung haben“ (to have no idea), on the other hand, is a fixed colloquial expression for complete ignorance or a lack of understanding. Wissen works for a neutral statement about knowledge; when the lack of knowledge should sound especially clear, keine Ahnung haben is appropriate.
Ich habe keine Ahnung, wann der nächste Zug abfährt.
I have no idea when the next train leaves.
Ich weiß nicht, wann der nächste Zug abfährt.
I don't know when the next train leaves.
