German word

Gesinnung

Pronunciation

IPA/gəˈzɪnʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounattitude

Example

Für diese Aufgabe braucht man die richtige Gesinnung.

For this task, you need the right attitude.

Illustration for Gesinnung (attitude)

More examples

Er verbarg seine politische Gesinnung nicht.

He did not hide his political conviction.

Core concept

A person's settled inner stance stands behind both convictions and conduct.

Common phrases

  • politische Gesinnung

    political conviction

  • religiöse Gesinnung

    religious conviction

  • moralische Gesinnung

    moral outlook

Similar words

Meinung: A personal opinion or way of thinking about a particular matter.
Einstellung: A person's attitude toward a specific matter or approach to dealing with it.
Haltung: A sustained stance revealed in behavior, words, or other expression.
Überzeugung: A firmly held belief that is deeply rooted.

Definition in German

Gesinnung bezeichnet die innere Haltung oder Einstellung einer Person, die ihre Überzeugungen und ihr Verhalten prägt.

Word origin

Gesinnung belongs to the sinnen family, connected with thinking and reflecting, while -ung forms a noun for an enduring state or disposition.

Usage tips

  • In ordinary neutral contexts, Einstellung or Haltung often sounds more natural than Gesinnung for a general attitude.

Other meanings

  • mindsetnoun
  • beliefnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • gesinnenthink aboutverb
  • gesinntinclinedadjective
  • Gesinnungswandelchange of attitudenoun

Word lists with this word