delusion / conceit / imagination
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delusion
An idea or notion that does not correspond to reality, but exists only in a person's imagination. It often refers to a false perception.
Das Geräusch war nur Einbildung, es ist niemand im Haus.
The noise was just a delusion; there is no one in the house.
conceit
A haughty and arrogant attitude based on too high an opinion of oneself; arrogance.
Seine Einbildung macht ihn bei seinen Kollegen sehr unbeliebt.
His conceit makes him very unpopular with his colleagues.
imagination
The ability to imagine things that are not real or present; the power of imagination or fantasy.
Ein guter Autor braucht viel Einbildung, um neue Welten zu erschaffen.
A good author needs a lot of imagination to create new worlds.
The word is made up of 'ein-' and 'Bildung' (formation / education). So it describes something that is 'formed' or created internally, that is, in the mind.
Manchmal ist die Grenze zwischen Realität und Einbildung fließend.
Sometimes the boundary between reality and delusion is fluid.
Adjectives help distinguish the meanings. 'Bloße' (mere) or 'reine Einbildung' (pure delusion) means a false idea. 'Krankhafte Einbildung' (pathological conceit) can mean arrogance. 'Viel' (a lot of) or 'lebhafte Einbildung' (vivid imagination) describes the positive ability of imagination.
Seine Behauptung war reine Einbildung.
His claim was pure delusion.
In the meaning 'falsche Vorstellung' (false idea), the phrase 'nur Einbildung sein' (to be just imagination / a delusion) is often used. The related verb is 'sich etwas einbilden' (to imagine something / to get something into one's head).
Ich dachte, ich hätte dich gesehen, aber das war wohl nur Einbildung.
I thought I had seen you, but it was probably just my imagination.
When 'Einbildung' means imagination, it is often combined with verbs such as 'haben' (to have) or 'besitzen' (to possess), and positive adjectives such as 'groß' (great), 'kreativ' (creative), or 'lebhaft' (vivid).
Um Geschichten zu schreiben, muss man eine große Einbildung besitzen.
To write stories, you need to have a great imagination.
idea / performance / introduction
Both words can refer to an inner image or an idea. „Vorstellung“ is neutral, while „Einbildung“ usually suggests that the image does not correspond to reality or is based on a false perception. „Vorstellung“ is appropriate for a neutral thought, while „Einbildung“ is more appropriate for an unfounded perception.
Es war nur Einbildung, dass jemand hinter dem Fenster stand.
It was just my imagination that someone was standing behind the window.
Ich habe die Vorstellung, dass der Weg durch den Park führt.
I have the idea that the path leads through the park.
