gut feeling
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gut feeling
An intuitive hunch or decision that is not based on rational thought, but on an inner feeling that is often hard to explain.
Obwohl alles logisch klang, sagte mir mein Bauchgefühl, dass ich den Vertrag nicht unterschreiben sollte.
Although everything sounded logical, my gut feeling told me that I shouldn't sign the contract.
The word is made up of 'Bauch' (belly/gut) and 'Gefühl' (feeling). So it literally describes a 'feeling from the belly', which highlights the intuitive, non-rational nature of this hunch.
Manchmal ist es besser, auf sein Bauchgefühl zu hören als auf den Verstand.
Sometimes it's better to listen to your gut feeling than to your mind.
Common expressions are 'ein gutes/schlechtes Bauchgefühl haben' (to have a good/bad gut feeling), 'sich auf sein Bauchgefühl verlassen' (to rely on one's gut feeling), or 'seinem Bauchgefühl vertrauen' (to trust one's gut feeling).
Ich hatte von Anfang an ein schlechtes Bauchgefühl bei diesem Projekt.
I had a bad gut feeling about this project from the start.
A very typical construction is to use 'Bauchgefühl' (gut feeling) as the subject with the verb 'sagen' (to say/tell). It is then treated like a person giving you advice.
Mein Bauchgefühl sagt mir, dass hier etwas nicht stimmt.
My gut feeling tells me that something isn't right here.
feeling / sense
'das Gefühl' and 'das Bauchgefühl' can both mean an inner hunch. However, 'das Gefühl' is much more general: it can also mean joy, fear, sadness, or a physical sensation. In this relation, it is about 'Gefühl' as a vague impression. 'das Bauchgefühl' is more specific: it means an intuitive assessment that does not come from long reflection. The words can be confused because people often say: 'Ich habe ein Gefühl' (I have a feeling). When it is about a decision without clear evidence, 'Bauchgefühl' is often more precise.
Bei der Wohnungssuche hat sie am Ende auf ihr Bauchgefühl gehört.
When looking for an apartment, she ended up listening to her gut feeling.
Nora hat das Gefühl, dass der Termin heute noch verschoben wird.
Nora has the feeling that the appointment will still be postponed today.