innermost
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innermost
Expresses, in a figurative sense, the deepest, most essential, or most private part of something, for example feelings, wishes, or convictions.
Es war sein innerster Wunsch, einmal die Welt zu umsegeln.
It was his innermost wish to sail around the world one day.
'Innerst' (innermost) is the superlative form of the adjective 'inner' (inner). It therefore means 'furthest inside' or 'deepest'. This form is used for special emphasis.
Wir drangen bis in den innersten Teil der Höhle vor.
We penetrated as far as the innermost part of the cave.
This adjective is used almost exclusively before a noun. Another common form is the nominalized phrase 'im Innersten' (in one's innermost being), which means 'in the deepest core of my being'.
Das berührt mich im Innersten.
That touches me in my innermost being.
In the figurative sense, 'innerst' (innermost) is often combined with abstract nouns that express personal and private things. Typical examples are 'der innerste Wunsch' (the innermost wish), 'die innerste Überzeugung' (the innermost conviction), or 'das innerste Geheimnis' (the innermost secret).
Ihre innerste Überzeugung war, dass alle Menschen gut sind.
Her innermost conviction was that all people are good.
personal / in person
'persönlich' and 'innerst' can both have to do with private thoughts or feelings. 'persönlich' is used for things that concern a specific person and are not public. 'innerst' goes deeper: it means the deepest part of feelings, wishes, or convictions. The word often sounds more serious or stronger and is especially suitable in phrases like 'innerste Wünsche' (innermost wishes) or 'innerste Überzeugung' (deepest conviction). 'persönlich' is much more general in everyday language. If something is simply private or individual, use 'persönlich'. If you mean the deepest part inside a person, 'innerst' fits.
Aus Angst sagt sie ihre innersten Wünsche nicht laut.
Out of fear, she does not say her innermost wishes out loud.
Beim Frühstück sprechen wir nicht über persönliche Probleme.
At breakfast, we don't talk about personal problems.