die Idee
idea
A thought, inspiration, or notion that you have in order to solve a problem or create something.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe eine gute Idee, was wir am Wochenende machen könnten.
I have a good idea for what we could do on the weekend.
die Idee
idea
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Meanings
die Idee
idea / concept
The basic concept or principle behind a thing, a plan, or a work.
EXAMPLE
Die Idee hinter dem Projekt ist, Bildung für alle zugänglich zu machen.
The idea behind the project is to make education accessible to everyone.
die Idee
tiny bit
Colloquially, a very small amount or just a tiny bit of something.
EXAMPLE
Die Suppe braucht noch eine Idee mehr Salz.
The soup needs a tiny bit more salt.
Usage tips
Sentence structure with infinitive
When an idea describes an action, it is often connected with an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to). The structure is 'die Idee haben, ... zu + infinitive' (to have the idea to ...).
EXAMPLE
Sie hatte die Idee, eine Weltreise zu machen.
She had the idea to take a trip around the world.
Typical collocations
Common phrases are 'auf eine Idee kommen' (to come up with an idea), 'eine Idee haben' (to have an idea), and 'eine Idee umsetzen' (to implement an idea).
EXAMPLE
Wie bist du auf diese geniale Idee gekommen?
How did you come up with this brilliant idea?
The concept behind it
To describe the basic principle or central concept of something, the phrase 'die Idee hinter' + dative is often used.
EXAMPLE
Die Idee hinter der App ist, Menschen mit gleichen Interessen zu verbinden.
The idea behind the app is to connect people with shared interests.
Context clue: small amount
When 'Idee' means a small amount, it almost always appears in the form 'eine Idee' followed by a comparative, e.g. 'mehr' (more), 'weniger' (less), 'lauter' (louder). The context is often adjusting something.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du die Musik bitte eine Idee leiser machen?
Could you please make the music a tiny bit quieter?
Colloquial use
The use of 'eine Idee' for 'ein kleines bisschen' (a tiny bit) is colloquial. In formal or written contexts, this meaning is usually avoided.
EXAMPLE
Das Bild hängt eine Idee zu weit links.
The picture is hanging a tiny bit too far to the left.
Compare with
Idee vs Gedanke
thought
Idee and Gedanke both refer to something that arises in the mind. An Idee is often an Einfall or proposal that can be developed or implemented. A Gedanke is more generally a single thought and does not have to aim at implementation.
Idee
Ihre Idee, die Feier in den Park zu verlegen, lässt sich leicht umsetzen.
Her idea of moving the celebration to the park can easily be put into practice.
Gedanke
Der Gedanke an eine Feier im Park kam ihr beim Spaziergang.
The thought of a celebration in the park occurred to her while she was out walking.
In real life
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