tacit
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tacit
Without being stated explicitly; occurring or being agreed to through silence, inaction, or implied conduct.
Seine Abwesenheit bei der Abstimmung wurde als stillschweigende Zustimmung gewertet.
His absence from the vote was interpreted as tacit consent.
The word is made up of 'still' (quiet) and 'schweigend' (present participle of 'schweigen', to remain silent). It therefore describes an action that happens entirely without words, only through silence or behavior.
Er nahm die Kritik stillschweigend hin und sagte nichts.
He accepted the criticism silently and said nothing.
Although 'stillschweigend' (tacit) is an adjective, it is most commonly used as an adverb. It then describes the manner in which a verb is carried out.
Indem niemand widersprach, wurde der Plan stillschweigend angenommen.
Since nobody objected, the plan was tacitly accepted.
'Stillschweigend' (tacitly) is often combined with verbs that express some form of agreement or acceptance. Typical examples are: 'stillschweigend zustimmen' (to agree tacitly), 'akzeptieren' (to accept), 'dulden' (to tolerate), or 'voraussetzen' (to assume).
Sie hat seine Hilfe stillschweigend akzeptiert.
She tacitly accepted his help.
The word belongs to formal language and is especially important in the legal field. A 'stillschweigende Vereinbarung' (tacit agreement) or 'stillschweigende Vertragsverlängerung' (tacit contract extension) is legally binding, even if nothing was said.
Wenn man die Ware behält, kommt ein Kaufvertrag stillschweigend zustande.
If you keep the goods, a purchase contract is concluded tacitly.
explicit
'ausdrücklich' and 'stillschweigend' describe two opposite ways of giving consent or establishing something. 'ausdrücklich' means that something is clearly said or written. 'stillschweigend' means that nothing is said directly, but someone agrees to or accepts something through silence or behavior. Learners may confuse the words because both often occur with rules, consent, or agreements. Remember: 'ausdrücklich' happens with clear words, 'stillschweigend' without direct words.
Die Nachbarn haben die neue Regel stillschweigend akzeptiert.
The neighbors tacitly accepted the new rule.
Vor dem Termin bestätigt ihr ausdrücklich, dass alle Unterlagen vollständig sind.
Before the appointment, you explicitly confirm that all documents are complete.