der Eifer
zeal / eagerness
Great diligence and strong, passionate commitment in pursuing a goal or carrying out an activity.
EXAMPLE
Mit großem Eifer stürzte sie sich auf das neue Projekt.
She threw herself into the new project with great zeal.
der Eifer
zeal / eagerness
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Eifer' belongs to the word family of the adjective 'eifrig' (eager). When a person is 'eifrig', they show great 'Eifer' (zeal/eagerness) in an activity.
EXAMPLE
Die eifrigen Studenten beendeten die Aufgabe in Rekordzeit.
The eager students finished the task in record time.
Use as an uncountable noun
'Eifer' is an abstract noun and is usually used as an uncountable noun, that is, in the singular and often without an article. Instead, it is frequently accompanied by an adjective such as 'groß' (great), 'enorm' (enormous), or 'übertrieben' (excessive).
EXAMPLE
Er zeigte bei der Renovierung des Hauses enormen Eifer.
He showed enormous zeal in renovating the house.
Typical collocations
'Eifer' is most commonly used with the preposition 'mit' (with) or in the combination 'voller Eifer' (full of eagerness). Typical phrases are 'mit großem Eifer bei der Sache sein' (to be working on something with great zeal) or 'sich voller Eifer auf etwas stürzen' (to throw oneself into something with great eagerness).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder waren mit großem Eifer dabei, den Schneemann zu bauen.
The children were building the snowman with great eagerness.
Compare with
Eifer vs Engagement
commitment / engagement
Engagement and Eifer both describe a strong commitment. Engagement emphasizes that someone is personally and actively committed to a cause. Eifer focuses more on the great diligence and passionate energy with which someone pursues a goal.
Eifer
Mit großem Eifer erledigt Mia heute eine Aufgabe nach der anderen für das Umweltprojekt.
With great zeal, Mia is completing one task after another for the environmental project today.
Engagement
Durch ihr Engagement unterstützt Mia das Umweltprojekt seit mehreren Jahren zuverlässig.
Through her commitment, Mia has reliably supported the environmental project for several years.
In real life
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