presumptuous request
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presumptuous request
A demand, proposal, or wish that is perceived as inappropriate, outrageous, or unreasonable.
Ihr Ansinnen, dass ich am Wochenende unbezahlt arbeite, habe ich entschieden zurückgewiesen.
I firmly rejected her presumptuous request that I work unpaid at the weekend.
'Ansinnen' (presumptuous request) is a word from elevated, formal language. It always has a negative connotation and describes a wish or proposal that one perceives as outrageous or inappropriate.
Sein Ansinnen, ich solle für seinen Fehler die Verantwortung übernehmen, war eine Frechheit.
His presumptuous request that I should take responsibility for his mistake was an impertinence.
The content of the outrageous wish is often explained by a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to). The structure is: 'das Ansinnen, dass ...' (the request that ...) or 'das Ansinnen, zu ...' (the request to ...).
Das Ansinnen, auch am Feiertag zu arbeiten, stieß auf großen Widerstand.
The request to work on the public holiday as well met with strong resistance.
Since an 'Ansinnen' (presumptuous request) is negative, it is often combined with verbs of rejection such as 'zurückweisen' (to reject), 'ablehnen' (to refuse/reject), or 'sich widersetzen' (to resist). Typical adjectives are 'unverschämt' (outrageous), 'inakzeptabel' (unacceptable), or 'absurd' (absurd).
Der Betriebsrat wies das Ansinnen der Geschäftsführung entschieden zurück.
The works council firmly rejected management's presumptuous request.
concern / request
Both words can refer to a wish or request that someone puts forward. Anliegen is generally neutral and describes a personal interest or concern. Ansinnen, on the other hand, is judged to be inappropriate, outrageous, or unreasonable; a neutral request therefore calls for „Anliegen“.
Der Vermieter wies das Ansinnen der Mieterin, monatelang keine Miete zu zahlen, zurück.
The landlord rejected the tenant’s demand to pay no rent for several months.
Die Mieterin brachte ihr Anliegen freundlich beim Vermieter vor.
The tenant politely presented her request to the landlord.
