attention
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attention
The state in which you concentrate your thoughts and senses on a specific person, thing, or activity.
Der Lehrer bat um die volle Aufmerksamkeit der Schüler.
The teacher asked for the students' full attention.
'Aufmerksamkeit' (attention) is derived from the adjective 'aufmerksam' (attentive). The stem 'merk' is also found in the verb 'merken' (to notice, to remember). So Aufmerksamkeit is the state in which you actively notice something.
Er hat eine hohe Aufmerksamkeit für Details.
He has great attention to detail.
For the meaning 'Konzentration' (concentration), Aufmerksamkeit is often combined with certain verbs. You can 'Aufmerksamkeit schenken' (pay attention), 'Aufmerksamkeit erregen' (attract attention), or 'die Aufmerksamkeit auf etwas lenken' (direct attention to something).
Der laute Knall erregte die Aufmerksamkeit aller Anwesenden.
The loud bang attracted the attention of everyone present.
A common construction is 'die Aufmerksamkeit auf etwas lenken' or 'richten' (to direct attention to something). The target of the attention is always in the accusative.
Ich möchte Ihre Aufmerksamkeit auf das Problem lenken.
I would like to draw your attention to the problem.
You can often recognize the meaning 'kleines Geschenk' (small gift) from adjectives like 'klein' (small) or 'nett' (nice/kind). In this case, Aufmerksamkeit is something concrete that is given as a sign of appreciation.
Als kleine Aufmerksamkeit brachte er seiner Gastgeberin eine Flasche Wein mit.
As a small gesture, he brought his hostess a bottle of wine.
interest
'das Interesse' and 'die Aufmerksamkeit' can both have to do with a person's thoughts. 'Interesse' means that you find something interesting or want to know more about it. 'Aufmerksamkeit' means that you are concentrating on something right now and listening or looking carefully. You can have interest in a topic but still briefly lack attention, for example because you are tired. The words are easy to confuse because interest often leads to attention. In practical terms: 'Interesse' is more the inner curiosity, while 'Aufmerksamkeit' is concentration in the moment.
Zu Hause lässt seine Aufmerksamkeit schnell nach, wenn nebenbei der Fernseher läuft.
At home, his attention quickly fades when the TV is on in the background.
Das Interesse an dem Familienfoto war groß, weil niemand den Ort kannte.
There was great interest in the family photo because no one knew the place.