incomprehension / lack of understanding
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lack of understanding
The inability or unwillingness to understand another person's actions, motives, or statements, or a situation.
Seine plötzliche Kündigung stieß bei den Kollegen auf völliges Unverständnis.
His sudden resignation was met with complete lack of understanding among his colleagues.
The word consists of the negation 'Un-' and the noun 'Verständnis' (understanding). It therefore literally describes the absence of understanding. The noun 'Verständnis' itself is derived from the verb 'verstehen' (to understand).
Sein Verhalten war für mich der reinste Ausdruck von Unverständnis.
His behavior was, to me, the purest expression of incomprehension.
A very common fixed expression is 'auf Unverständnis stoßen' (to be met with lack of understanding). It means that an action or statement is not understood or accepted by others.
Sein Vorschlag, die Kantine zu schließen, stieß bei den Mitarbeitern auf großes Unverständnis.
His proposal to close the cafeteria was met with great lack of understanding among the employees.
You can actively express or show your 'Unverständnis' (lack of understanding). The preposition 'für' (for) is often used to say what one does not understand.
Sie äußerte ihr Unverständnis für seine Entscheidung.
She expressed her lack of understanding for his decision.
understanding
'das Verständnis' and 'das Unverständnis' both describe how someone reacts to a situation, statement, or person. But they mean the opposite. 'Verständnis' means that you grasp something or can understand another person's situation. 'Unverständnis' means that you do not understand something or cannot accept it. Learners may confuse the words because they look similar. The prefix 'Un-' is important: it turns 'Verständnis' into its opposite.
Seine plötzliche Absage stieß bei vielen Kollegen auf Unverständnis.
His sudden cancellation was met with a lack of understanding by many colleagues.
Nach dem Gespräch zeigte der Fahrer Verständnis für die Verspätung.
After the conversation, the driver showed understanding for the delay.