die Gier
greed
An excessive, insatiable desire for something, especially possessions, power, or money. Greed is regarded as a very negative trait.
EXAMPLE
Seine Gier nach Reichtum kannte keine Grenzen.
His greed for wealth knew no bounds.
die Gier
greed
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Meanings
die Gier
hunger / thirst
A very strong, almost uncontrollable desire for something non-material, such as knowledge, life, or adventure.
EXAMPLE
Er verschlang die Bücher mit einer Gier, die seine Lehrer beeindruckte.
He devoured the books with a hunger that impressed his teachers.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Gier' (greed) belongs to the adjective 'gierig' (greedy). If a person is 'gierig' (greedy), then they have 'Gier' (greed).
EXAMPLE
Er ist so gierig, seine Gier kennt keine Grenzen.
He is so greedy; his greed knows no bounds.
Correct preposition
The desire expressed by 'Gier' (greed) is always expressed with the preposition 'nach' (for/after) and the dative. One has 'Gier nach etwas' (greed for something).
EXAMPLE
Die Gier nach immer mehr Geld machte ihn einsam.
The greed for more and more money made him lonely.
Typical collocations
In the negative meaning, 'Gier' (greed) is often connected with material things or power. Typical phrases are 'die Gier nach Geld' (greed for money), 'die Gier nach Macht' (greed for power), or 'die Gier nach Besitz' (greed for possessions).
EXAMPLE
In dem Film geht es um die Gier nach Macht und deren Konsequenzen.
The film is about the greed for power and its consequences.
Context clue
When 'Gier' (hunger/thirst) is connected with something abstract or positive such as 'Wissen' (knowledge), 'Leben' (life), or 'Erkenntnis' (insight/understanding), the meaning is less negative and describes a very strong drive.
EXAMPLE
Mit einer fast kindlichen Gier nach Wissen las sie jedes Buch in der Bibliothek.
With an almost childlike thirst for knowledge, she read every book in the library.
Compare with
Gier vs Lust
desire / pleasure
Lust usually refers to a positive or pleasure-related desire for something. Gier, by contrast, expresses a very strong, almost uncontrollable desire and often has a negative tone. Lust fits a normal interest, while Gier is more suitable for an urge that is difficult to satisfy.
Gier
Maras Gier nach immer neuen Abenteuern lässt ihr keine Ruhe.
Mara's greed for ever-new adventures gives her no peace.
Lust
Mara hat Lust auf ein neues Abenteuer.
Mara feels like having a new adventure.
In real life
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