01
der Begriff
term
A word or phrase that denotes a specific idea or concept.
example
Können Sie mir den Begriff 'Globalisierung' erklären?
Can you explain the term 'globalization' to me?
der Begriff
term
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Der Begriff' (term/concept) is closely related to the verb 'begreifen' (to understand, or literally 'to grasp with the hands'). So a Begriff is an idea that one has understood or 'grasped'.
EXAMPLE
Ich glaube, ich habe das Problem jetzt begriffen.
I think I've understood the problem now.
Sentence structure with infinitive
The expression 'im Begriff sein' (to be about to) is always used with an infinitive construction with 'zu'. It expresses that an action is immediately imminent.
EXAMPLE
Wir waren gerade im Begriff, das Haus zu verlassen, als es an der Tür klingelte.
We were just about to leave the house when the doorbell rang.
Use with negation
The phrase 'einen Begriff von etwas haben' (to have an idea of something) is very often negated: 'keinen Begriff von etwas haben' (to have no idea of something). It is always used with the preposition 'von' and the dative.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat überhaupt keinen Begriff davon, wie schwierig diese Aufgabe ist.
She has absolutely no idea how difficult this task is.
Informal expression
The idiom 'schwer von Begriff sein' (to be slow on the uptake) is an informal way of saying that someone understands something slowly or only with difficulty. It is used as a fixed unit.
EXAMPLE
Muss ich es wirklich noch einmal erklären? Du bist heute aber schwer von Begriff.
Do I really have to explain it again? You're really slow on the uptake today.
Typical collocations
In its main meaning, 'Begriff' is often used to refer to a concept from a specific field. Typical formulations are 'ein Begriff aus der/dem...' (a term from...) or 'ein Fachbegriff' (a technical term).
EXAMPLE
„Photosynthese“ ist ein Begriff aus der Biologie.
'Photosynthesis' is a term from biology.
Compare with
Begriff vs Wort
word
'das Wort' and 'der Begriff' can both mean a linguistic unit with meaning. 'Wort' mainly refers to the concrete form that you speak or write. 'Begriff' is more about the idea or concept that is denoted by a word or phrase. That is why 'Begriff' often sounds more precise when talking about technical language or an explanation. The words can be confused because a term often consists of a single word. Remember: a word is the form; a term is the idea behind it.
Begriff
Im Kurs erklärt die Lehrerin den Begriff „Demokratie“ mit einfachen Beispielen.
In the course, the teacher explains the term 'democracy' using simple examples.
Wort
Das Wort „Fenster“ hat sieben Buchstaben.
The word 'Fenster' has seven letters.
In real life
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