unbewusst
unconsciously
Something happens or is done without one noticing it, thinking about it, or intentionally controlling it.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sie mit seiner Bemerkung unbewusst gekränkt.
He unconsciously hurt her with his comment.
unbewusst
unconscious / unconsciously
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Meanings
unbewusst
unconscious
Refers to psychological processes, wishes, or conflicts that are not accessible to consciousness but influence behavior and feelings (cf. 'das Unbewusste' — the unconscious).
EXAMPLE
In der Psychoanalyse versucht man, unbewusste Traumata aufzuarbeiten.
In psychoanalysis, people try to work through unconscious traumas.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'bewusst' (aware, conscious). The prefix 'un-' negates the meaning of 'bewusst' (aware, conscious) and therefore means 'not conscious' or 'not aware'.
EXAMPLE
Viele unserer täglichen Handlungen laufen unbewusst ab.
Many of our daily actions happen unconsciously.
Context clue
In everyday language, 'unbewusst' (unconscious/unconsciously) usually means 'unintentionally' or 'without noticing it'. In texts about psychology or therapy, it refers to the psychological concept of the unconscious.
EXAMPLE
Er hat unbewusst immer wieder den gleichen Fehler gemacht.
He unconsciously made the same mistake again and again.
Use as an adverb
'Unbewusst' (unconsciously) is very often used as an adverb to describe a verb. It answers the question 'How did something happen?' and then usually stands directly before or after the verb.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ihn unbewusst an eine Person aus ihrer Kindheit erinnert.
She unconsciously reminded him of a person from his childhood.
Word family
The noun 'das Unbewusste' (the unconscious) is formed from the adjective 'unbewusst' (unconscious). This is a central term in psychology and refers to the part of the psyche that is not directly accessible to consciousness.
EXAMPLE
Sigmund Freud hat die Bedeutung des Unbewussten für unser Verhalten erforscht.
Sigmund Freud researched the importance of the unconscious for our behavior.
Compare with
unbewusst vs automatisch
automatic
Both words can describe an action carried out without conscious thought. „Automatisch“ mainly describes a practiced or reflexive process. „Unbewusst“ emphasizes that the person does not notice the action or control it intentionally. Use „automatisch“ for the process and „unbewusst“ for the lack of awareness or intention.
unbewusst
Beim Lesen bewegte sie unbewusst den Fuß im Takt der Musik.
While reading, she unconsciously moved her foot to the beat of the music.
automatisch
Als ich die vertraute Musik hörte, sang ich automatisch die nächste Zeile mit.
When I heard the familiar music, I automatically sang along with the next line.
In real life
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