besinnlich
peaceful / reflective
Calm and atmospheric, allowing you to relax and reflect on important things.
EXAMPLE
Wir wünschen euch eine besinnliche Weihnachtszeit.
We wish you a peaceful and reflective Christmas season.
besinnlich
reflective
besinnlich – besinnlicher – am besinnlichsten
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Meanings
besinnlich
contemplative
Thinking quietly about life or other important questions.
EXAMPLE
An seinem achtzigsten Geburtstag wurde er besinnlich und dachte lange über sein bisheriges Leben nach.
He became contemplative on his eightieth birthday and spent a long time thinking about his life so far.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry besinnlich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | besinnlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | besinnlicher |
| superlative | am besinnlichsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to besinnlich.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to besinnlich.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to besinnlich.
Usage tips
Context clues
With „besinnlich“ (peaceful and reflective), it helps to ask what is being described: With a celebration or an evening, the focus is on the atmosphere. With a person, it usually refers to their thoughts and inner attitude.
EXAMPLE
Bei Kerzenlicht verbrachten wir einen besinnlichen Abend.
We spent a peaceful and reflective evening by candlelight.
Nach dem Besuch in seinem Heimatdorf wurde er besinnlich.
He became contemplative after visiting his hometown.
Christmas wishes
In Christmas greetings, „besinnlich“ (peaceful and reflective) is often used with „Adventszeit“ (Advent season), „Weihnachtsfest“ (Christmas celebration), or „Feiertage“ (holidays). A typical pattern is „jemandem eine besinnliche Adventszeit wünschen“ (to wish someone a peaceful Advent season); the person being addressed is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Bürgermeister wünschte allen Einwohnern eine besinnliche Adventszeit.
The mayor wished all the residents a peaceful Advent season.
Putting someone in a reflective mood
„Jemanden besinnlich stimmen“ (to put someone in a reflective mood) describes what causes a thoughtful mood. The trigger is the subject, and the affected person is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Familienfotos stimmten meinen Vater besinnlich.
The old family photos put my father in a reflective mood.
In real life
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