innate / congenital
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innate
A quality, ability, or characteristic that has been present since birth and was not learned.
Ihr musikalisches Talent ist angeboren, sie musste nie viel üben.
Her musical talent is innate; she never had to practice much.
'Angeboren' is composed of 'an' and 'geboren' (past participle of 'gebären', to give birth). It literally describes something that was 'given' to someone at birth.
Manche Forscher glauben, dass ein Gerechtigkeitssinn angeboren ist.
Some researchers believe that a sense of justice is innate.
You can use 'angeboren' in a construction with the dative to express to whom a quality is innate. The pattern is: 'Etwas ist [Person im Dativ] angeboren.' (Something is innate to [person in the dative].)
Die Fähigkeit, Sprachen zu lernen, scheint ihm angeboren zu sein.
The ability to learn languages seems to be innate to him.
In general usage, 'angeboren' (innate) is often combined with abilities and qualities, for example: 'ein angeborenes Talent' (an innate talent), 'ein angeborener Instinkt' (an innate instinct), or 'eine angeborene Neugier' (an innate curiosity).
Hunde haben einen angeborenen Instinkt, ihr Territorium zu verteidigen.
Dogs have an innate instinct to defend their territory.
In a medical context, 'angeboren' (congenital) describes diseases or physical characteristics that have existed since birth. Typical combinations are 'angeborener Herzfehler' (congenital heart defect) or 'angeborene Fehlbildung' (congenital malformation).
Die Untersuchung zeigte einen angeborenen Defekt am Herzen.
The examination showed a congenital defect in the heart.
natural / of course
'natürlich' and 'angeboren' can both be used for qualities or abilities that do not seem artificial. The difference is important: 'angeboren' means that something has been present since birth and was not learned. 'natürlich' only says that something fits a person's normal nature or seems genuine. A natural manner can also be developed later. Learners may confuse the words because people sometimes say of talents that they seem 'natürlich' (natural). If the point in time since birth is important, 'angeboren' is more precise.
Sein gutes Gehör ist angeboren, deshalb erkennt er Töne sehr schnell.
His good hearing is innate, so he recognizes tones very quickly.
Sie spricht vor vielen Menschen sehr natürlich und ohne Angst.
She speaks in front of many people very naturally and without fear.