reason
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reason
The human ability to think logically, recognize connections, make judgments, and act sensibly and thoughtfully on that basis.
Lass uns die Entscheidung mit Vernunft treffen und nicht aus einer Laune heraus.
Let's make the decision with reason and not on a whim.
'Die Vernunft' (reason) belongs to the word family of the adjective 'vernünftig' (reasonable/sensible). When someone acts sensibly, they are using their reason.
Es ist nicht vernünftig, bei diesem Wetter ohne Jacke nach draußen zu gehen.
It is not sensible to go outside without a jacket in this weather.
Common phrases are 'an die Vernunft appellieren' (to appeal to someone's reason) or 'mit Vernunft handeln' (to act sensibly/thoughtfully).
Der Politiker appellierte an die Vernunft der Bürger.
The politician appealed to the citizens' reason.
The idiom 'Vernunft annehmen' (to see reason) is a fixed collocation. It means that a person becomes sensible again after a phase of unreasonable behavior.
Wir hoffen, dass er bald Vernunft annimmt und den Streit beendet.
We hope that he sees reason soon and ends the argument.
In the expression 'jemanden zur Vernunft bringen' (to bring someone to reason), the person who is to be persuaded is always in the accusative.
Ihre Freunde versuchten, sie zur Vernunft zu bringen.
Her friends tried to bring her to reason.
feeling / sense
'das Gefühl' and 'die Vernunft' often form a contrast. 'das Gefühl' stands for what you feel or intuitively sense. 'die Vernunft' stands for thoughtful, logical, and sensible action. The difference becomes especially clear in decisions: a feeling can be quick and personal, while reason checks whether something is sensible and responsible. People often say that someone is torn between 'Gefühl' and 'Vernunft'.
Im Supermarkt entscheidet meine Mutter aus Vernunft und kauft nicht zu viele Süßigkeiten.
At the supermarket, my mother decides based on reason and does not buy too many sweets.
In ihrer E-Mail beschreibt Anna ihr Gefühl vor dem wichtigen Termin.
In her email, Anna describes her feeling before the important appointment.