German Conversation · Level 98
53 words
German word
Gespenst
Pronunciation
IPA/gəˈʃpɛnst/
Meaning
- neuter nounghost
Example
In der alten Villa sahen wir Gespenster.
In the old villa, we saw ghosts.
More examples
Bei der Führung versuchte der Pfarrer, ein Gespenst zu vertreiben.
During the tour, the pastor tried to drive away a ghost.
Core concept
A phantom-like figure haunts an old building or hangs over a situation as a feared threat.
Common phrases
ein Gespenst vertreiben
drive away a ghost
von einem Gespenst erzählen
tell about a ghost
Similar words
Geist: The soul of someone dead or an invisible spiritual being.
Erscheinung: An inexplicable figure that appears suddenly.
Phantom: A vague, elusive figure with a human shape.
Poltergeist: A troublesome spirit that moves objects and causes loud noises.
Definition in German
Eine sichtbare, unheimliche Erscheinung, die wie die Abbildung einer verstorbenen Person wirkt.
Word origin
The modern noun Gespenst developed from Middle High German gespenst and Old High German gispensti, which referred to an apparition.
Usage tips
- In figurative phrases such as das Gespenst der Arbeitslosigkeit, Gespenst names a feared problem that seems to threaten a situation.
Other meanings
- phantomnoun
- specternoun
Opposites
- Realitätrealitynoun
Related words
- Gespenstergeschichteghost storynoun
- gespensthaftghostlyadjective