figment
das Hirngespinst, die Hirngespinste
Loading your saved state.
figment
An idea, suspicion, or notion that has no basis in reality. The word implies that you consider this notion imaginary or unrealistic.
Seine Vermutung, die Nachbarn würden ihn heimlich überwachen, war ein reines Hirngespinst.
His suspicion that the neighbors were secretly watching him was a mere figment of his imagination.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Hirngespinste |
| genitive | des Hirngespinstes |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Hirngespinst | die Hirngespinste |
| accusative | das Hirngespinst | die Hirngespinste |
| dative | dem Hirngespinst | den Hirngespinsten |
| genitive | des Hirngespinstes des Hirngespinsts | der Hirngespinste |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Hirngespinst' is made up of 'Hirn' (brain) and 'Gespinst' (web / spun thread). A web consists of spun threads; here, it creates the image of something spun only in the mind.
Die angebliche Verschwörung war nur ein Hirngespinst.
The alleged conspiracy was just a figment of the imagination.
With 'etwas für ein Hirngespinst halten' (to consider something a figment of the imagination), you express your assessment of an idea. After 'für', the accusative is used.
Zunächst hielt ich seine Warnung für ein Hirngespinst.
At first, I considered his warning a figment of his imagination.
Common collocations are 'ein reines Hirngespinst' (a mere figment of the imagination) and 'ein bloßes Hirngespinst' (a mere figment of the imagination). With 'rein' (mere) or 'bloß' (mere), you strongly emphasize that you deny the notion any basis in reality.
Die Geschichte von einem Schatz unter unserem Haus ist ein reines Hirngespinst.
The story about a treasure under our house is a mere figment of the imagination.
