01
die Notwendigkeit
necessity
The state of something being essential, absolutely required, or unavoidable.
example
Der Arzt betonte die Notwendigkeit einer gesunden Ernährung.
The doctor emphasized the necessity of a healthy diet.
die Notwendigkeit
necessity
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from the adjective 'notwendig' (necessary). This in turn comes from 'Not wenden', which literally means to avert a hardship or emergency. A Notwendigkeit is therefore something you have to do in order to avoid hardship.
EXAMPLE
Die Notwendigkeit dieser Maßnahme ist unbestritten.
The necessity of this measure is undisputed.
Sentence structure
'Die Notwendigkeit' (the necessity) is very often used with a genitive or an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to) in order to specify what is necessary. The structure is then 'die Notwendigkeit + genitive' or 'die Notwendigkeit, etwas zu tun' (the necessity of doing something / the necessity to do something).
EXAMPLE
Es besteht die Notwendigkeit einer schnellen Entscheidung.
There is a necessity for a quick decision.
Typical collocations
Common verbs used with 'Notwendigkeit' (necessity) are 'bestehen' (to exist), 'erkennen' (to recognize), 'sehen' (to see), and 'betonen' (to emphasize). People often say that a necessity 'besteht' (exists).
EXAMPLE
Die Chefin hat die Notwendigkeit von Überstunden betont.
The boss emphasized the necessity of overtime.
Fixed expression
The formulation 'aus der Notwendigkeit heraus' (out of necessity) is a fixed expression. It functions like an adverb and explains that an action was not voluntary, but forced by external circumstances.
EXAMPLE
Sie handelte nur aus der Notwendigkeit heraus, um ihre Familie zu schützen.
She acted only out of necessity in order to protect her family.
Compare with
Notwendigkeit vs Möglichkeit
possibility
'die Möglichkeit' and 'die Notwendigkeit' are often opposites. With a 'Möglichkeit', you can do something, but you do not have to. There is a chance or an option. With a 'Notwendigkeit', something has to be done because it is important or unavoidable. In practical terms, 'Möglichkeit' fits with choice and freedom, while 'Notwendigkeit' fits with duty, pressure, or urgent need.
Notwendigkeit
Im Urlaub wurde die Notwendigkeit klar, für den nächsten Tag ein Hotel zu buchen.
On vacation, the necessity of booking a hotel for the next day became clear.
Möglichkeit
Nach der Arbeit hatte ich die Möglichkeit, den Techniker zu Hause anzurufen.
After work, I had the opportunity to call the technician at home.
In real life
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