independent / original
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independent
Independent of others and able to act, decide, or exist on one's own. Refers to people, organizations, or also tasks.
Nach der Ausbildung war sie finanziell eigenständig und zog in ihre erste eigene Wohnung.
After her training, she was financially independent and moved into her first apartment of her own.
original
Having its own distinctive type or form; original and not derived from something else.
Der Architekt hat ein Gebäude mit einer völlig eigenständigen Formensprache entworfen.
The architect designed a building with a completely original formal language.
The word is made up of 'eigen' (own) and 'ständig' (from 'stehen', to stand). The literal meaning is therefore 'standing on one's own feet', which describes the idea of independence very well.
Es ist ein wichtiger Schritt im Leben, finanziell eigenständig zu werden.
It is an important step in life to become financially independent.
'Eigenständig' is very often used as an adverb to describe that an action is carried out without help or guidance. It answers the question 'How?'.
Die Kinder sollen lernen, ihre Hausaufgaben eigenständig zu erledigen.
The children should learn to do their homework independently.
When it is about people, 'eigenständig' describes the ability to decide and act for oneself. Typical combinations are 'eigenständig leben' (to live independently), 'eigenständig arbeiten' (to work independently), or 'eine eigenständige Entscheidung treffen' (to make an independent decision).
Als Projektleiterin muss sie viele Entscheidungen eigenständig treffen.
As project manager, she has to make many decisions independently.
When 'eigenständig' refers to a work or an idea, it means 'originell' (original) or 'unverwechselbar' (distinctive). Common combinations are 'ein eigenständiges Design' (an original design), 'ein eigenständiger Stil' (a distinctive style), or 'ein eigenständiges Kunstwerk' (an original work of art).
Die Regisseurin ist für ihren sehr eigenständigen visuellen Stil bekannt.
The director is known for her very distinctive visual style.
independent
For an organization, either unabhängig or eigenständig may be appropriate. Unabhängig mainly rules out dependence or outside control; eigenständig emphasizes that the organization acts and makes decisions on its own or exists as a separate entity. Choose unabhängig when the focus is on the absence of outside control, and eigenständig when the focus is on the organization’s ability to act independently.
Das Institut arbeitet eigenständig und entscheidet selbst über seine Projekte.
The institute works independently and decides for itself which projects to pursue.
Das Institut ist unabhängig von der Universität und unterliegt nicht ihrer Kontrolle.
The institute is independent of the university and is not subject to its control.
