01
die Gegenwart
present
The current time; the present point or period of time between the past and the future.
example
Wir sollten uns auf die Probleme der Gegenwart konzentrieren.
We should focus on the problems of the present.
die Gegenwart
present / presence
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Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Context clues
The meaning of 'Gegenwart' (present/presence) becomes clear from context. If it is about time (past, future), it is m01. If it is about a person's presence, it is m02. If it is about grammar, it is m03.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Gegenwart fühle ich mich immer wohl.
I always feel comfortable in his presence.
Sentence structure: presence
To express 'Anwesenheit' (presence), 'Gegenwart' almost always appears with the preposition 'in' and a genitive or a 'von' construction. The most common form is 'in meiner/deiner/seiner... Gegenwart' (in my/your/his... presence).
EXAMPLE
In Gegenwart seiner Chefin ist er immer sehr nervös.
In the presence of his boss, he is always very nervous.
Grammatical term
In a linguistic context, 'die Gegenwart' (the present tense) is the technical term for the tense Präsens. You often find this word in German textbooks.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns die Verben in der Gegenwart üben.
Let's practice the verbs in the present tense.
Compare with
Gegenwart vs Zukunft
future
'die Zukunft' and 'die Gegenwart' are opposites in terms of time. 'die Gegenwart' means the time now, that is, the current moment or the present day. 'die Zukunft' means the time that is still to come. Both words are often used when talking about changes: what is important now belongs to the present; what will become important later belongs to the future.
Gegenwart
In der Gegenwart arbeitet das Team noch mit alten Computern.
At present, the team is still working with old computers.
Zukunft
Viele junge Menschen machen sich Sorgen um die Zukunft.
Many young people worry about the future.
In real life
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