wohlwollend
benevolent
Showing a friendly, kind, and supportive attitude toward a person or thing.
EXAMPLE
Der Kritiker hat den neuen Roman sehr wohlwollend besprochen.
The critic reviewed the new novel very benevolently.
wohlwollend
benevolent
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of 'wohl' (well) and 'wollend' (the present participle of 'wollen' (to want)). It describes an attitude in which you 'want' something good for someone or something and have a positive attitude toward them or it.
EXAMPLE
Mit einem wohlwollenden Lächeln hörte sie sich seine Pläne an.
With a benevolent smile, she listened to his plans.
Typical collocations
'wohlwollend' (benevolent) often describes a reaction or attitude from people in an evaluating position. Typical combinations are 'ein wohlwollender Blick' (a benevolent look), 'eine wohlwollende Geste' (a benevolent gesture), 'wohlwollend nicken' (to nod benevolently), or 'etwas wohlwollend prüfen' (to examine something benevolently).
EXAMPLE
Der Professor prüfte ihre Abschlussarbeit sehr wohlwollend.
The professor assessed her thesis very benevolently.
Use as an adverb
'wohlwollend' (benevolent/benevolently) can also be used as an adverb to describe the manner of an action. It then remains unchanged and describes the verb more closely.
EXAMPLE
Er nickte wohlwollend, als ich ihm meine Idee erklärte.
He nodded benevolently when I explained my idea to him.
Compare with
wohlwollend vs hold
fair / favorable
Hold and wohlwollend can both express a friendly or favorable attitude toward a person or thing. Hold belongs to an increasingly archaic, poetic expression, whereas wohlwollend is common in modern formal and general German. In a standard text, wohlwollend is therefore usually the better choice.
wohlwollend
Die Bürgermeisterin war dem Dichter wohlwollend und hörte seine Bitte geduldig an.
The mayor was favorably disposed toward the poet and listened patiently to his request.
hold
Der König war dem Dichter hold und hörte seine Bitte geduldig an.
The king was favorably disposed toward the poet and listened patiently to his request.
In real life
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