01
bewusst
deliberate
Happening intentionally and with full intent.
example
Er hat bewusst die Unwahrheit gesagt, um seine Kollegen zu täuschen.
He deliberately told an untruth in order to deceive his colleagues.
bewusst
conscious / deliberate
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'bewusst' (conscious / deliberate) is closely related to the noun 'das Bewusstsein' (consciousness) and the verb 'wissen' (to know). All meanings revolve around the idea of knowledge, perception, or full intent.
EXAMPLE
Er traf eine bewusste Entscheidung für seine Zukunft.
He made a conscious decision for his future.
Fixed construction
The expression 'sich bewusst sein' (to be aware) has fixed grammar. The person is in the dative, and the thing one is aware of is in the genitive or follows the preposition 'über' with the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin mir des Problems bewusst.
I am aware of the problem.
Compound formation
In the meaning of 'relating to an attitude,' 'bewusst' (conscious) is often the second part of compound adjectives. These describe a particular outlook on life, e.g. with regard to the environment, health, or price.
EXAMPLE
Viele junge Leute leben heute sehr umweltbewusst.
Many young people today live in a very environmentally conscious way.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'bewusst' from context: As an adverb (bewusst etwas tun — to do something deliberately), it means 'intentionally.' In a medical context (bewusst sein — to be conscious), it means 'awake.' The fixed expression 'sich einer Sache bewusst sein' means 'to know something' or 'to be aware of something.'
EXAMPLE
Sie hat mich bewusst ignoriert.
She deliberately ignored me.
Compare with
bewusst vs wissen
to know
'wissen' and 'sich bewusst sein' can both mean that someone knows a fact. 'wissen' is the normal verb for information and facts. 'sich bewusst sein' puts more emphasis on clearly recognizing the meaning or consequences of something. In addition, 'bewusst' can also mean 'deliberate' or 'intentional', for example in 'eine bewusste Entscheidung' (a deliberate decision). Learners confuse the words because 'bewusst sein' seems similar to 'wissen'. In everyday language, 'wissen' is simpler and more general; 'sich bewusst sein' fits when responsibility, danger, or consequences are important.
bewusst
Am Montag ist Jonas sich bewusst, dass er weniger Geld ausgeben muss.
On Monday, Jonas is aware that he has to spend less money.
wissen
In der Pause weiß sie schon, wer morgen im Büro fehlt.
During the break, she already knows who will be absent from the office tomorrow.
In real life
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