die Phantasie
imagination
The human ability to imagine things that are not real or that one does not perceive; imagination and creativity.
EXAMPLE
Kinder haben oft eine sehr lebhafte Phantasie.
Children often have a very vivid imagination.
die Phantasie
imagination / fantasy
die Phantasie, die Phantasien
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Meanings
die Phantasie
fantasy
A thought or idea that does not correspond to reality; a product of the imagination, a figment of the mind.
EXAMPLE
Seine Angst vor Monstern unter dem Bett war reine Phantasie.
His fear of monsters under the bed was pure fantasy.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Phantasie, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Phantasien |
| genitive | der Phantasie |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Phantasie | die Phantasien |
| accusative | die Phantasie | die Phantasien |
| dative | der Phantasie | den Phantasien |
| genitive | der Phantasie | der Phantasien |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Alternative spelling
Besides 'Phantasie', the spelling 'Fantasie' is also correct and is even more common nowadays. Duden recommends the spelling with 'F'.
EXAMPLE
In modernen Büchern liest man meistens „Fantasie“.
In modern books, you usually read 'Fantasie'.
Word family
The word family includes the verb 'fantasieren' (to fantasize, to imagine something, to dream) and the adjective 'fantasievoll' (imaginative, creative).
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein sehr fantasievoller Künstler.
He is a very imaginative artist.
Typical collocations
To describe imagination, 'Phantasie' (imagination) is often combined with adjectives like 'lebhaft' (vivid), 'blühend' (fertile), or 'reich' (rich). A fixed expression is 'seiner Phantasie freien Lauf lassen' (to let one's imagination run free).
EXAMPLE
Der Autor hat eine blühende Phantasie.
The author has a fertile imagination.
Lassen Sie Ihrer Phantasie freien Lauf und malen Sie, was Sie möchten.
Let your imagination run free and paint whatever you like.
Context clue
In this meaning, it is often emphasized that something is not real. Watch for signal words like 'reine' (pure), 'bloße' (mere), or 'nur' (only).
EXAMPLE
Die Gefahr existiert nur in deiner Phantasie.
The danger exists only in your imagination.
Compare with
Phantasie vs Vorstellung
idea / performance / introduction
Both words can refer to an inner image or an idea. „Vorstellung“ is neutral and can refer to something real or invented, whereas „Phantasie“ especially emphasizes creative or unreal content. „Vorstellung“ is appropriate for an ordinary inner image, while „Phantasie“ is more appropriate for an invented scene.
Phantasie
Mit etwas Phantasie stellte sich Laura einen Garten voller Zauberwesen vor.
With a little imagination, Laura pictured a garden full of magical creatures.
Vorstellung
Meine Vorstellung von dem neuen Haus war ziemlich genau.
My idea of the new house was quite precise.
In real life
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