curiosity
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curiosity
The strong, often positive desire to find out, learn, or discover something unknown.
Die wissenschaftliche Neugier treibt Forscher an, neue Entdeckungen zu machen.
Scientific curiosity drives researchers to make new discoveries.
nosiness
An excessive interest in other people's private lives that is perceived negatively; indiscretion.
Hör auf, in meinen Sachen zu wühlen, deine Neugier ist unerträglich!
Stop rummaging through my things; your nosiness is unbearable!
'Neugier' (curiosity) is made up of 'neu' (new) and 'Gier' (greed/desire). So it literally describes a 'desire for what is new.' This origin explains why the word can have both a positive side (thirst for knowledge) and a negative side (intrusiveness).
Seine Gier nach neuen Informationen war unstillbar.
His desire for new information was insatiable.
'Die Neugier' (curiosity) is the noun that describes the desire or quality. The related adjective is 'neugierig' (curious/nosy) and describes a person or their behavior.
Das neugierige Kind stellte den ganzen Tag Fragen.
The curious child asked questions all day long.
In its positive meaning, 'Neugier' (curiosity) is often combined with verbs such as 'wecken' (to arouse/awaken) or 'befriedigen' (to satisfy). The expression 'aus reiner Neugier' (out of pure curiosity) is also very common for asking a question without any deeper intention.
Ein guter Lehrer weiß, wie man die Neugier seiner Schüler weckt.
A good teacher knows how to arouse their students' curiosity.
The negative meaning 'Indiskretion' (indiscretion/nosiness) is often made clear by the context or by negative adjectives. Words such as 'unerträglich' (unbearable), 'krankhaft' (morbid/obsessive), or 'lästig' (annoying) signal that the curiosity is perceived as bothersome.
Seine krankhafte Neugier auf das Privatleben der Nachbarn war allen ein Dorn im Auge.
His obsessive curiosity about the neighbors' private lives was a thorn in everyone's side.
interest
“Das Interesse” and “die Neugier” can both be directed toward a topic. Interest can be a longer-lasting engagement, whereas curiosity especially emphasizes the desire to find out something that is still unknown. Interesse is more suitable for a lasting focus, while Neugier is more suitable for a specific gap in knowledge.
Aus Neugier öffnet Lea sofort den neuen Marsbericht, um zu erfahren, was entdeckt wurde.
Out of curiosity, Lea immediately opens the new report on Mars to find out what was discovered.
Lea verfolgt die Marsforschung seit Jahren mit großem Interesse.
Lea has been following research on Mars with great interest for years.
