German word

Auseinandersetzung

Pronunciation

IPA/aʊ̯saɪ̯ˈnandɐˌzɛt͡sʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine noundiscussion

Example

Im Meeting gab es viele Auseinandersetzungen über das Budget.

There was a lot of discussion about the budget at the meeting.

Illustration for Auseinandersetzung (discussion)

More examples

Wir versuchten, eine Auseinandersetzung zu vermeiden.

We tried to avoid an argument.

Core concept

An issue stands between people who work through its competing claims, sometimes cooperatively and sometimes in conflict.

Common phrases

  • eine Auseinandersetzung vermeiden

    avoid an argument

  • eine Auseinandersetzung beginnen

    start an argument

Similar words

Streit: A heated quarrel driven by personal feelings.
Diskussion: A structured exchange of views aimed at reaching understanding or a conclusion.
Konflikt: An ongoing clash caused by conflicting interests or positions.
Debatte: A formal, orderly discussion of issues in public or at a meeting.

Definition in German

Auseinandersetzung bezeichnet einen intensiven Austausch von Argumenten oder die sachliche Diskussion eines Themas.

Word origin

Auseinandersetzung is the noun derived from the reflexive verb sich auseinandersetzen, whose parts mean 'apart' and 'set' and express engaging closely with something.

Usage tips

  • The phrase sich mit etwas auseinandersetzen usually means to engage seriously with or address something, whereas the noun can also denote a dispute between people.

Other meanings

  • argumentnoun
  • confrontationnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word