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.
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.
hunch / idea
'die Ahnung' and 'der Instinkt' can both mean a feeling that is not based on precise knowledge. 'Ahnung' is more of a vague hunch: you sense that something might be the case. 'Instinkt' sounds stronger and more certain. It often means a gut feeling that leads directly to a decision or action. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with intuition. If you are only unsure and suspect something, 'Ahnung' fits. If someone acts quickly and with inner certainty in the right way, 'Instinkt' fits better.
Die Verkäuferin folgte ihrem Instinkt und sprach den Kunden sofort freundlich an.
The saleswoman followed her instinct and immediately greeted the customer in a friendly way.
Sie hatte keine klare Information, aber eine Ahnung, dass das Essen zu scharf sein würde.
She had no clear information, but a hunch that the food would be too spicy.