der Drang
urge
A strong inner need, drive, or strong desire to do something specific.
EXAMPLE
Er verspürte einen unwiderstehlichen Drang, Schokolade zu essen.
He felt an irresistible urge to eat chocolate.
der Drang
urge
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Drang' (the urge) is the noun related to the verb 'drängen' (to push / to press), which means 'schieben' (to push) or 'pressen' (to press). So it describes a force that pushes someone from within toward an action.
EXAMPLE
Der Drang nach Veränderung war so stark, dass sie ihren Job kündigte.
The urge for change was so strong that she quit her job.
Use with infinitive
'Der Drang' (the urge) is very often used with a verb like 'haben' (to have), 'verspüren' (to feel), or 'fühlen' (to feel), and an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to), to describe the desired action.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe oft den Drang, einfach alles stehen und liegen zu lassen und zu verreisen.
I often have the urge to simply drop everything and go traveling.
Use with preposition
When the object of the urge is a noun, the preposition 'nach' (for / after) with the dative is often used.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Winter spürte sie einen starken Drang nach Sonne und Wärme.
After the long winter, she felt a strong urge for sun and warmth.
Compare with
Drang vs Bedürfnis
need
Both words can describe a strong inner desire. Bedürfnis emphasizes that someone needs something or considers it important, while Drang places more emphasis on the driving pressure to act. When talking about a felt need, Bedürfnis is appropriate; for a strong impulse to act, Drang is often the better choice.
Drang
Nach dem langen Arbeitstag verspürte sie den Drang, sofort spazieren zu gehen.
After the long workday, she felt the urge to go for a walk immediately.
Bedürfnis
Nach dem langen Arbeitstag hatte sie ein großes Bedürfnis nach Ruhe.
After the long workday, she had a great need for peace and quiet.
In real life
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