das Befinden
well-being
A person's physical and mental state; how someone feels physically or emotionally.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärztin erkundigte sich nach meinem Befinden.
The doctor asked about my well-being.
das Befinden
well-being
das Befinden
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Meanings
das Befinden
judgment / discretion
A person's personal opinion or judgment. This meaning is formal and occurs mainly in expressions with „nach“ (according to).
EXAMPLE
Nach meinem Befinden wäre es klüger, die Entscheidung zu vertagen.
In my judgment, it would be wiser to postpone the decision.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Befinden, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Befindens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Befinden | – |
| accusative | das Befinden | – |
| dative | dem Befinden | – |
| genitive | des Befindens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Asking about someone's well-being
Typical expressions are „nach jemandes Befinden fragen“ (to ask about someone's well-being) and „sich nach jemandes Befinden erkundigen“ (to inquire about someone's well-being). After „nach“ (about), the dative is used, for example „nach Ihrem Befinden“ (about your well-being).
EXAMPLE
Die Nachbarn fragten besorgt nach dem Befinden des alten Mannes.
The neighbors anxiously asked about the old man's well-being.
Typical collocations
Common collocations are „das allgemeine Befinden“ (general well-being), „das körperliche Befinden“ (physical well-being), and „das seelische Befinden“ (emotional well-being). „Beeinträchtigen“ (to impair) can be used to express that something has a negative effect on it.
EXAMPLE
Der anhaltende Stress beeinträchtigt ihr seelisches Befinden.
The ongoing stress is affecting her emotional well-being.
Person in the possessive word
In the formal expression „nach meinem Befinden“ (in my judgment), the possessive word shows whose judgment is meant. The entire expression serves as an addition to a statement and can also appear in the middle of a sentence.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Vorschlag wäre nach meinem Befinden die beste Lösung.
In my judgment, this proposal would be the best solution.
In real life
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