receptive
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receptive to
To be open and receptive to ideas, suggestions, criticism, or impressions.
Sie war sehr empfänglich für unsere Argumente und überdachte ihre Entscheidung.
She was very receptive to our arguments and reconsidered her decision.
The adjective 'empfänglich' (receptive / susceptible) belongs to the word family of 'empfangen' (to receive). It describes the ability or willingness to take something in—whether ideas, illnesses, or signals.
Ein offener Geist ist empfänglich für neue Perspektiven.
An open mind is receptive to new perspectives.
'Empfänglich' (receptive / susceptible) is almost always used with the preposition 'für' and the accusative. The structure is: empfänglich für etwas sein (to be receptive/susceptible to something).
Er ist sehr empfänglich für Schmeicheleien.
He is very receptive to flattery.
When abstract nouns such as 'Kritik' (criticism), 'Argumente' (arguments), 'Vorschläge' (suggestions), or 'Stimmungen' (moods) come after 'empfänglich für' (receptive to), the figurative meaning 'open and receptive' is meant.
Die Chefin war für unsere Vorschläge sehr empfänglich.
The boss was very receptive to our suggestions.
When 'empfänglich für' (susceptible to) is used in connection with illnesses or health problems such as 'Infektionen' (infections), 'Stress' (stress), or 'Erkältungen' (colds), it means 'to be susceptible'.
Nach der Operation war er besonders empfänglich für Infektionen.
After the operation, he was especially susceptible to infections.
In a technical context, 'empfänglich für' (able to receive / receptive to) refers to devices that can receive signals. Words such as 'Radio' (radio), 'Antenne' (antenna), or 'Sender' (transmitter/station) point to this meaning.
Mein Handy ist hier auf dem Land nicht für das 5G-Netz empfänglich.
My phone can't receive the 5G network here in the countryside.
open
'offen' and 'empfänglich' can both describe that someone accepts new ideas, suggestions, or impressions. 'offen' is more general and very common in everyday language: you can be 'offen für Neues' (open to new things) or open to a different opinion. 'empfänglich für' sounds a bit more precise and often a bit more formal. It emphasizes that someone responds especially well to something or is ready for it. In conversation, people often simply say 'offen'; 'empfänglich' fits well when you want to describe the effect of criticism, arguments, or impressions.
Nach dem Gespräch war Paul empfänglicher für die Kritik seines Kollegen.
After the conversation, Paul was more receptive to his colleague's criticism.
Im Team sind alle offen für neue Vorschläge.
Everyone on the team is open to new suggestions.