German word

Diskurs

Pronunciation

IPA/dɪsˈkʊʁs/

Meaning

  • masculine noundiscussion

Example

Wir führen einen Diskurs über das Thema.

We are holding a discussion about the topic.

Illustration for Diskurs (discussion)

More examples

Online-Plattformen formen den gesellschaftlichen Diskurs schnell.

Online platforms quickly shape social discourse.

Core concept

A sustained exchange in which positions and reasons are developed around a shared question.

Common phrases

  • politischer Diskurs

    political discourse

  • gesellschaftlicher Diskurs

    social discourse

  • im Diskurs stehen

    be under discussion

Similar words

Diskussion: A discussion in which participants put forward and work through their opinions.
Debatte: A formal contest of arguments between clearly opposing positions.
Gespräch: A natural everyday conversation focused on sharing thoughts or information.
Dialog: A conversation in which two or more people exchange thoughts in turn.

Definition in German

Diskurs ist eine zusammenhängende mündliche oder schriftliche Auseinandersetzung über ein bestimmtes Thema, oft in einem formellen oder wissenschaftlichen Kontext.

Word origin

French discours supplied German Diskurs, ultimately from Latin discursus, a noun related to moving or running in different directions.

Usage tips

  • Diskurs has a formal or academic register, while Gespräch is usually more neutral for an ordinary conversation.

Other meanings

  • debatenoun
  • discoursenoun
  • treatisenoun

Opposites

  • Monologmonologuenoun

Related words

  • Diskursraumdiscourse spacenoun
  • diskursivdiscursiveadjective

Word lists with this word