die Neigung
inclination
A personal preference, bent, or tendency toward a particular activity, behavior, or feeling.
EXAMPLE
Er hat eine starke Neigung zur Musik.
He has a strong inclination toward music.
die Neigung
inclination
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Meanings
die Neigung
inclination / slope
The slanted position or angle at which a surface or object deviates from the horizontal or vertical.
EXAMPLE
Die Neigung des Daches ist zu gering, sodass das Wasser nicht gut abfließen kann.
The inclination of the roof is too slight, so the water cannot drain well.
Neigung zu jemandem
affection for someone
A feeling of affection or sympathy for another person.
EXAMPLE
Sie fühlte eine tiefe Neigung zu ihm, traute sich aber nicht, es zu zeigen.
She felt a deep affection for him, but did not dare to show it.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'Neigung' (inclination) is derived from the verb 'neigen' (to incline / to tend). The verb means both 'to hold something at an angle' and 'to tend toward something'. This double meaning is also found in the noun.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Baum neigt sich gefährlich über die Straße.
The old tree is leaning dangerously over the road.
Context clue
The meaning of 'Neigung' (inclination) becomes clear from the context. If it is about physics or construction, it refers to a slope. If it is about a person, it refers to affection. With behavior or hobbies, it means a tendency.
EXAMPLE
Die Neigung der Rampe ist für Rollstuhlfahrer zu steil.
The slope of the ramp is too steep for wheelchair users.
Sentence structure and use
To express a personal tendency, you use the fixed structure 'eine Neigung zu etwas haben' (to have an inclination toward something). 'Zu' is always followed by the dative.
EXAMPLE
Er hat eine Neigung zu schnellen Autos.
He has an inclination toward fast cars.
Typical collocations
When 'Neigung' means affection for a person, it is often combined with the verbs 'fühlen' (to feel) or 'empfinden' (to feel / to experience).
EXAMPLE
Er hat schon lange eine heimliche Neigung für sie empfunden.
He had long felt a secret affection for her.
Compare with
Neigung vs Tendenz
tendency / trend
Tendenz and Neigung can both describe a personal way of thinking or acting. Tendenz presents it more as a recurring, observable pattern. Neigung refers more directly to a personal preference or inner readiness to behave in this way.
Neigung
Lena hat die Neigung, Aufgaben lieber allein zu erledigen.
Lena has an inclination to prefer handling tasks on her own.
Tendenz
Bei mehreren Projekten zeigte Lena die Tendenz, Aufgaben lieber allein zu erledigen.
Across several projects, Lena showed a tendency to prefer handling tasks on her own.
In real life
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