instinct
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instinct
An innate, unconscious tendency toward a certain behavior that occurs in humans and animals. It is an inner drive that does not have to be learned.
Der Mutterinstinkt veranlasste sie, ihr Kind zu beschützen.
Her maternal instinct prompted her to protect her child.
instinct
A sure, intuitive feeling or hunch about the right decision or action in a particular situation. It is often also referred to as a 'Bauchgefühl' (gut feeling).
Mein Instinkt sagt mir, dass ich diesem Angebot nicht trauen sollte.
My instinct tells me that I shouldn't trust this offer.
The two meanings can be distinguished well from context. If the topic is innate, biological drives in animals or humans, the first meaning is intended. If the topic is a personal, situation-based feeling or hunch, the second meaning is intended.
Der Überlebensinstinkt der Tiere ist sehr stark.
The animals' survival instinct is very strong.
In the biological meaning, 'Instinkt' (instinct) is often used in fixed compounds to describe a particular innate drive. Common examples are 'Mutterinstinkt' (maternal instinct), 'Überlebensinstinkt' (survival instinct), or 'Jagdinstinkt' (hunting instinct).
Der Jagdinstinkt einer Katze lässt sich nicht unterdrücken.
A cat's hunting instinct cannot be suppressed.
To express that someone has a good feel for something, you use the construction 'einen Instinkt für etwas haben' (to have an instinct for something). The 'etwas' (something) is always in the accusative.
Ein guter Verkäufer hat einen Instinkt für die Wünsche der Kunden.
A good salesperson has an instinct for customers' wishes.
When 'Instinkt' (instinct) describes a gut feeling, it is often combined with the verbs 'vertrauen' (to trust) or 'folgen' (to follow). The phrase 'mein Instinkt sagt mir, dass ...' (my instinct tells me that ...) is also very common.
Ich folge meinem Instinkt und nehme das Jobangebot an.
I am following my instinct and accepting the job offer.
drive / shoot
Trieb and Instinkt can both influence innate behavior. Trieb emphasizes the inner pressure to satisfy a basic need, while Instinkt highlights the unconscious control of a specific behavior. Use “Trieb” for the urge and “Instinkt” for the innate response.
Sein Instinkt zeigte ihm, dass er vor dem fremden Tier zurückweichen sollte.
His instinct told him that he should back away from the unfamiliar animal.
Der Trieb nach Nahrung war bei dem hungrigen Tier besonders stark.
The hungry animal's drive for food was particularly strong.
