initiative
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initiative
The ability or willingness to act on one's own motivation and without external instruction in order to start a task or solve a problem.
Der Arbeitgeber erwartet von seinen Mitarbeitern ein hohes Maß an Eigeninitiative.
The employer expects a high degree of initiative from his employees.
The word is made up of 'eigen' (own) and 'Initiative' (initiative). So it literally describes an initiative that comes from oneself, that is, one's 'own' initiative.
Für diese Position suchen wir jemanden mit viel Eigeninitiative.
For this position, we are looking for someone with a lot of initiative.
'Eigeninitiative' (initiative) is often used with the verbs 'zeigen' (to show), 'ergreifen' (to take), or 'haben' (to have). In job advertisements, it is often 'erwartet' (expected) or 'gefordert' (required).
Er hat bei dem Projekt große Eigeninitiative gezeigt und neue Ideen eingebracht.
He showed great initiative in the project and contributed new ideas.
'Eigeninitiative' (initiative) is very often used in the fixed phrase 'ein (hohes/gewisses) Maß an Eigeninitiative' (a high/certain degree of initiative). This emphasizes the extent of independence required.
Ein gewisses Maß an Eigeninitiative ist in diesem Job unerlässlich.
A certain degree of initiative is essential in this job.
This word belongs mainly in professional and work-related contexts. It is often found in employment references, résumés, and job descriptions.
In ihrem Zeugnis wurde ihre ausgeprägte Eigeninitiative besonders gelobt.
In her reference, her strong initiative was especially praised.
initiative
'die Initiative' and 'die Eigeninitiative' both describe someone becoming active and starting something. 'Initiative' can generally be the first step or the ability to act independently. 'Eigeninitiative' especially emphasizes that the action comes from the person themself and that no one has asked them to do it. Learners may confuse the words because they are very close in meaning. You say 'Initiative ergreifen' (to take the initiative) when someone actively makes a start. 'Eigeninitiative zeigen' (to show initiative) fits especially in school, work, or job applications, when someone thinks and acts independently.
Im Gespräch hat sie viel Eigeninitiative gezeigt und eigene Lösungsvorschläge gemacht.
In the conversation, she showed a lot of initiative and made her own suggestions for solutions.
Im Zug ergreifen die Eltern die Initiative und suchen einen ruhigeren Platz.
On the train, the parents take the initiative and look for a quieter seat.