German Conversation · Level 57
73 words
German word
Elan
Pronunciation
IPA/eˈlaːn/
Meaning
- masculine nounenthusiasm
Example
Er zeigte großen Elan bei der Arbeit.
He showed great enthusiasm at work.
More examples
Die Sängerin betrat die Bühne mit Elan.
The singer took the stage with enthusiasm.
Core concept
A person or project surges forward with lively energy, making progress feel forceful and eager.
Common phrases
mit Elan
with enthusiasm
voller Elan
full of enthusiasm
mit großem Elan
with great enthusiasm
Similar words
Begeisterung: A strong surge of excitement and emotional involvement.
Schwung: Vigorous momentum that helps movement or progress continue.
Eifer: Serious eagerness and concentrated effort toward a goal.
Tatkraft: Practical energy and initiative for getting things done.
Definition in German
Starke, lebhafte Begeisterung und Tatkraft bei einer Tätigkeit.
Word origin
German Elan is borrowed from French élan, a noun for a rushing forward or impetus that developed the figurative sense of energetic enthusiasm.
Usage tips
- German uses masculine der Elan and commonly pairs it with mit großem Elan, where the adjective takes the dative masculine ending.
Other meanings
- momentumnoun
- vitalitynoun
- drivenoun
Opposites
- Lethargielethargynoun
- Antriebslosigkeitlack of motivationnoun
Related words
- elanvollenergeticadjective
- elanloslistlessadjective