01
der Einfluss
influence
The effect or power that a person, thing, or situation has on another.
example
Die Medien haben einen großen Einfluss auf die öffentliche Meinung.
The media have a major influence on public opinion.
der Einfluss
influence
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'ein' (in/into) and 'Fluss' (flow/river). The idea is that something 'flows into' a situation or person and changes them as a result.
EXAMPLE
Die Entscheidung des Chefs hatte einen großen Einfluss auf die Stimmung im Team.
The boss's decision had a major influence on the mood in the team.
Preposition and case
'Einfluss' (influence) is almost always used with the preposition 'auf' (on) and the accusative. You have or exert influence ON someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Seine Worte hatten keinen Einfluss auf meine Entscheidung.
His words had no influence on my decision.
Typical adjectives
To describe the strength or type of effect, 'Einfluss' (influence) is often combined with adjectives like 'groß' (large/major), 'stark' (strong), 'gering' (slight), 'positiv' (positive), or 'negativ' (negative).
EXAMPLE
Das Wetter hat einen starken Einfluss auf meine Laune.
The weather has a strong influence on my mood.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'Einfluss nehmen auf' (to exert influence on) describes an active action. It means that someone is consciously trying to change or guide something or someone.
EXAMPLE
Als Elternteil möchte man positiv auf seine Kinder Einfluss nehmen.
As a parent, you want to exert a positive influence on your children.
Person or thing
When 'Einfluss' (influence) is used with the indefinite article ('ein') and an evaluative adjective ('gut' (good), 'schlecht' (bad)) to describe a person or group, that person or group is itself the source of the effect.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein wirklich guter Einfluss für die ganze Mannschaft.
He is a really good influence on the whole team.
Compare with
Einfluss vs Bedeutung
meaning / importance
'die Bedeutung' and 'der Einfluss' can both describe that something is important and affects a situation. 'Bedeutung' more often says what status something has or how important it is. 'Einfluss' more strongly says that something has an effect on another person, decision, or development. They can be confused because something of great importance often also has influence. As a practical rule: if you are asking how important something is, 'Bedeutung' fits. If you are asking what something changes or causes, 'Einfluss' fits.
Einfluss
Das Wetter hatte großen Einfluss auf unsere Reisepläne.
The weather had a major influence on our travel plans.
Bedeutung
Die Bedeutung dieses Gesprächs wurde mir erst später klar.
The importance of this conversation only became clear to me later.
In real life
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