self-knowledge
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self-knowledge
Insight into one's own personality, strengths, weaknesses, motives, and feelings.
Therapie kann ein langer, aber lohnender Weg zur Selbsterkenntnis sein.
Therapy can be a long but rewarding path to self-knowledge.
The word is made up of 'Selbst-' (self) and 'Erkenntnis' (insight, realization). So it literally means insight about oneself.
Meditation kann ein Weg zur Selbsterkenntnis sein.
Meditation can be a path to self-knowledge.
'Selbsterkenntnis' (self-knowledge) is often described as a process or a path. That is why it is often used with the preposition 'zu' and verbs such as 'kommen' (to come) or 'gelangen' (to arrive/reach).
Es war ein langer Weg, aber schließlich gelangte er zur Selbsterkenntnis.
It was a long road, but in the end he arrived at self-knowledge.
The process of self-knowledge is often described with adjectives such as 'schmerzhaft' (painful), 'lang' (long), 'tief' (deep), or 'wichtig' (important).
Es war eine schmerzhafte Selbsterkenntnis, dass er den Fehler gemacht hatte.
It was a painful realization that he had made the mistake.
self-confidence / self-awareness
'Selbstbewusstsein' and 'Selbsterkenntnis' both refer to one's own person. But they do not mean the same thing. 'Selbstbewusstsein' is trust in yourself and in your own abilities. 'Selbsterkenntnis' means that you understand yourself better, that is, you recognize your own strengths, weaknesses, feelings, or motives. You can have a lot of self-confidence but still little self-knowledge. The risk of confusion comes from the fact that both words begin with 'Selbst-' and sound positive. Remember: Selbstbewusstsein gives confidence; Selbsterkenntnis gives clarity about yourself.
Nach dem Gespräch hatte sie die Selbsterkenntnis, dass sie zu selten um Hilfe bittet.
After the conversation, she realized that she asks for help too rarely.
Durch die neue Aufgabe gewinnt Yusuf mehr Selbstbewusstsein bei der Arbeit.
Through the new task, Yusuf gains more self-confidence at work.