thinking
das Nachdenken
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thinking
The deliberate mental consideration of a question, problem, or topic in order to understand it better or make a decision.
Das Nachdenken über die Frage hat ihr geholfen, eine Entscheidung zu treffen.
Thinking about the question helped her make a decision.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Nachdenkens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Nachdenken | – |
| accusative | das Nachdenken | – |
| dative | dem Nachdenken | – |
| genitive | des Nachdenkens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Nachdenken' (thinking) is the infinitive of the verb 'nachdenken' (to think) used as a noun. This allows the activity itself to become the topic of a sentence, for example as its subject.
Gründliches Nachdenken braucht Zeit.
Careful thinking takes time.
The topic is often introduced with 'über' (about) followed by the accusative case. The pattern is 'Nachdenken über etwas' (thinking about something).
Beim Nachdenken über den Vorschlag kamen mir neue Ideen.
While thinking about the proposal, I came up with new ideas.
The expression 'jemanden zum Nachdenken bringen' (to make someone think) emphasizes that something prompts a person to think. The person is in the accusative case; 'zum Nachdenken' (to think) remains a fixed part of the expression.
Die Frage seiner Tochter brachte ihn zum Nachdenken.
His daughter's question got him thinking.
