die Gunst
favor
Goodwill, a positive attitude, or preference that someone shows toward another person.
EXAMPLE
Durch seine Zuverlässigkeit erwarb er sich die Gunst seines Chefs.
Through his reliability, he gained the favor of his boss.
die Gunst
favor
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Meanings
die Gunst der Stunde nutzen
to seize the opportunity
To take advantage of a favorable opportunity or the right moment to do something.
EXAMPLE
Als alle abgelenkt waren, nutzte er die Gunst der Stunde und verließ unbemerkt die Feier.
When everyone was distracted, he seized the opportunity and left the party unnoticed.
zu jemandes Gunsten
in someone's favor
To someone's advantage or benefit.
EXAMPLE
Das Gerichtsurteil fiel zu Gunsten des Klägers aus.
The court ruling was decided in favor of the plaintiff.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Gunst' (favor) belongs to the word family of 'günstig' (favorable/advantageous) and 'gönnen' (to grant someone something positive / not begrudge someone something). All of these words have the basic positive meaning of advantage or goodwill.
EXAMPLE
Das Wetter ist heute günstig für eine Wanderung.
The weather is favorable today for a hike.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'die Gunst der Stunde nutzen' is very common. It means to seize a good opportunity immediately.
EXAMPLE
Er nutzte die Gunst der Stunde, um nach einer Gehaltserhöhung zu fragen.
He seized the opportunity to ask for a raise.
Genitive construction
The phrase 'zu jemandes Gunsten' means 'to someone's advantage' or 'in someone's favor'. It is always formed with the genitive: 'zu meinen Gunsten' (in my favor), 'zu Gunsten des Angeklagten' (in favor of the defendant).
EXAMPLE
Die Entscheidung fiel zu Gunsten der Umwelt aus.
The decision was made in favor of the environment.
Typical collocations
You can 'werben' (court/seek) or 'buhlen' (compete for) someone's 'Gunst' (favor). If you are successful, you 'steht man in jemandes Gunst' (are in someone's favor) or have 'erworben' (earned/acquired) their favor.
EXAMPLE
Der junge Künstler warb um die Gunst des reichen Mäzens.
The young artist sought the favor of the wealthy patron.
Register and style
'Gunst' (favor) is a word of elevated style. You find it more often in historical novels, official contexts, or written language than in everyday conversation.
EXAMPLE
Der Minister verlor die Gunst des Kanzlers.
The minister lost the favor of the chancellor.
Compare with
Gunst vs gefallen
to please / to fall
„Gefallen“ describes a person or thing being appealing to someone or liked by them. „Die Gunst“, on the other hand, refers to the goodwill or preferred positive attitude one person shows toward another. Use „gefallen“ for the impression something makes and „Gunst“ for this attitude.
Gunst
Der neue Bewerber genießt die Gunst der Chefin.
The new applicant enjoys the manager’s favor.
gefallen
Der neue Bewerber gefällt der Chefin sehr.
The new applicant appeals to the manager a great deal.
In real life
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