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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
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Meanings
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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.
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
'die Vorstellung' and 'die Phantasie' both have to do with thoughts and images in the mind. 'Vorstellung' is neutral and can also be very realistic, for example an idea of what a room should look like. 'Phantasie' emphasizes imagination, creativity, or something that is not really like that. Learners may confuse the words because both describe what you picture internally. When it is about a normal idea or expectation, 'Vorstellung' fits better. When it is about invented, creative, or unrealistic thoughts, 'Phantasie' fits better.
Phantasie
Im Zug denkt sich das Kind mit viel Phantasie eine Geschichte über Drachen aus.
On the train, the child uses a lot of imagination to make up a story about dragons.
Vorstellung
Er hat eine einfache Vorstellung davon, wie das Fest für die Familie werden soll.
He has a simple idea of what the family celebration should be like.
In real life
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