das Begehren
desire
A strong wish or intense longing for something.
EXAMPLE
Sein Begehren nach Anerkennung wurde immer stärker.
His desire for recognition grew ever stronger.
das Begehren
desire / claim
das Begehren, die Begehren
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Meanings
das Begehren
sexual desire
Sexual desire or sexual attraction.
EXAMPLE
Zwischen den beiden war deutlich gegenseitiges Begehren zu spüren.
There was a clear sense of mutual desire between the two of them.
das Begehren
claim / application
A demand or application, especially in legal and official language.
EXAMPLE
Das Gericht wies das Begehren des Klägers zurück.
The court rejected the plaintiff's claim.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Begehren, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Begehren |
| genitive | des Begehrens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Begehren | die Begehren |
| accusative | das Begehren | die Begehren |
| dative | dem Begehren | den Begehren |
| genitive | des Begehrens | der Begehren |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning can often be recognized from the context: An object following „nach“ (for) usually indicates a strong personal desire, while a reference to two people points to sexual attraction. Words from the legal or administrative context indicate the meaning „Forderung oder Antrag“ (claim or application).
EXAMPLE
Ihr Begehren nach beruflicher Anerkennung war deutlich zu spüren.
Her desire for professional recognition was clearly noticeable.
Die beiden konnten ihr Begehren füreinander kaum verbergen.
The two of them could barely hide their desire for each other.
Das Gericht prüfte das Begehren des Antragstellers.
The court examined the applicant's claim.
The preposition „nach“
When expressing a personal wish, „Begehren“ (desire) frequently appears with „nach“ (for) and the dative. The desired goal then follows this preposition directly.
EXAMPLE
Das Begehren nach Macht bestimmte sein ganzes Handeln.
The desire for power determined everything he did.
Typical collocations
In its sexual meaning, „Begehren“ (desire) frequently appears with words such as „gegenseitig“ (mutual), „körperlich“ (physical), or „stark“ (strong). The phrase „sexuelles Begehren“ (sexual desire) is also common.
EXAMPLE
Der Roman erzählt vom körperlichen Begehren zweier junger Menschen.
The novel tells of the physical desire between two young people.
Official language
This meaning is typical of legal and official language. Common collocations include „ein Begehren zurückweisen“ (to reject a claim), „dem Begehren stattgeben“ (to grant a claim), and „das Begehren des Klägers“ (the plaintiff's claim) or „der Antragstellerin“ (the female applicant's claim).
EXAMPLE
Das Gericht gab dem Begehren des Klägers teilweise statt.
The court partially granted the plaintiff's claim.
In real life
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