delusion
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delusion
A pathological, uncorrectable belief that contradicts reality and that a person holds on to even though there is evidence to the contrary. It is often a symptom of a mental illness.
Er litt unter der Wahnvorstellung, dass seine Nachbarn ihn ausspionieren.
He suffered from the delusion that his neighbors were spying on him.
The word consists of 'der Wahn' (delusion, madness) and 'die Vorstellung' (idea, conception). So it describes an idea based on a delusion.
Seine Eifersucht entwickelte sich zu einer krankhaften Wahnvorstellung.
His jealousy developed into a pathological delusion.
This noun is often used with the verbs 'haben' (to have) or 'leiden an/unter' (to suffer from). You 'hat' a 'Wahnvorstellung' (delusion), or you 'leidet an' Wahnvorstellungen (suffer from delusions).
Der Patient leidet seit Jahren an Wahnvorstellungen.
The patient has been suffering from delusions for years.
The content of the delusion is very often explained with a subordinate clause beginning with 'dass' (that). The structure is: 'die Wahnvorstellung haben, dass ...' (to have the delusion that ...).
Sie hatte die feste Wahnvorstellung, dass sie von allen beobachtet wird.
She had the fixed delusion that she was being watched by everyone.
Although the term comes from psychology, it is also used colloquially to describe a person's completely irrational and uncorrectable idea.
Sein Plan, ohne Geld um die Welt zu reisen, grenzt an eine Wahnvorstellung.
His plan to travel around the world without money borders on a delusion.
illusion
'die Illusion' and 'die Wahnvorstellung' can both mean that someone believes something to be true even though it does not match reality. But 'Illusion' is much more general and often less strong. It can be a false hope or wishful idea that someone later gives up. 'Wahnvorstellung' is a serious word from the area of mental health. It means a pathological belief that a person holds on to despite clear evidence to the contrary. Learners should not simply swap the words: 'Wahnvorstellung' sounds medical and very strong, while 'Illusion' is more suitable for normal false expectations.
Die Ärztin nahm seine Wahnvorstellung ernst und sprach ruhig mit ihm.
The doctor took his delusion seriously and spoke to him calmly.
Nach dem Gespräch hatte sie nicht mehr die Illusion, dass alles von allein besser wird.
After the conversation, she no longer had the illusion that everything would get better on its own.