die Bereitschaft
willingness
The inner attitude of being ready or willing to do something specific.
EXAMPLE
Seine Bereitschaft zur Zusammenarbeit hat das Projekt gerettet.
His willingness to cooperate saved the project.
die Bereitschaft
readiness / willingness
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Meanings
die Bereitschaft
readiness
The state of being immediately available for deployment or a task, often in a professional or emergency context.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärzte in der Notaufnahme sind in ständiger Bereitschaft.
The doctors in the emergency room are on constant standby.
die Bereitschaft
standby unit
A group of people, such as police or emergency services, who are ready for deployment.
EXAMPLE
Eine Bereitschaft der Polizei wurde zur Demonstration geschickt.
A police standby unit was sent to the demonstration.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word derives from the adjective 'bereit' (ready). The ending '-schaft' turns the adjective into a noun that describes a state or quality.
EXAMPLE
Er ist bereit zu helfen, also zeigt er Hilfsbereitschaft.
He is ready to help, so he shows a willingness to help.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
To express what someone is willing to do, the construction 'die Bereitschaft zu + Infinitiv' is almost always used. Alternatively, 'für + accusative' can also be used.
EXAMPLE
Die Bereitschaft, neue Dinge zu lernen, ist sehr wichtig.
The willingness to learn new things is very important.
Typical collocations
In the sense of 'Wille' (will/willingness), 'Bereitschaft' is often combined with verbs such as 'zeigen' (to show), 'erklären' (to declare), or 'bekunden' (to express). Typical adjectives are 'groß' (great), 'hoch' (high), or 'gering' (low).
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker zeigte große Bereitschaft zum Kompromiss.
The politician showed a great willingness to compromise.
Fixed expressions
In a professional or emergency context, the fixed expressions 'in Bereitschaft sein' (to be on standby) or 'sich in Bereitschaft halten' (to keep oneself on standby) are often used. This means being ready for immediate deployment.
EXAMPLE
Die Feuerwehrleute sind während ihrer Schicht rund um die Uhr in Bereitschaft.
The firefighters are on standby around the clock during their shift.
Context clue
When a 'Bereitschaft' is referred to as a countable unit, for example in the plural 'die Bereitschaften', it always means a concrete group of people, usually from the police or emergency services.
EXAMPLE
Zwei Bereitschaften der Polizei sicherten das Stadion ab.
Two police standby units secured the stadium.
Compare with
Bereitschaft vs Wille
will
Wille and Bereitschaft can both show that someone wants to do something. Wille emphasizes inner determination and the goal, while Bereitschaft emphasizes openness to a specific action. Use Bereitschaft when someone is ready to do something, and Wille when their determination is important.
Bereitschaft
Seine Bereitschaft, am Wochenende zu helfen, erleichterte die Arbeit.
His willingness to help at the weekend made the work easier.
Wille
Trotz der Schwierigkeiten hatte sie den Willen, ihr Ziel weiterzuverfolgen.
Despite the difficulties, she had the will to keep pursuing her goal.
In real life
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