German word

Kalkül

Pronunciation

IPA/kalˈkyːl/

Meaning

  • neuter nounulterior motive

Example

Seine Kalküle waren nicht zu übersehen.

His ulterior motives were impossible to miss.

Illustration for Kalkül (ulterior motive)

More examples

Sie handelte aus Kalkül, nicht aus Mitgefühl.

She acted out of an ulterior motive, not compassion.

Core concept

A carefully planned move on a mental balance sheet, where expected advantages and disadvantages guide the choice.

Common phrases

  • etwas aus Kalkül tun

    do ___ out of an ulterior motive

  • mit Kalkül vorgehen

    proceed with an ulterior motive

  • auf Kalkül setzen

    bet on calculation

Similar words

Absicht: A clear intention or goal behind an action.
Strategie: A long-term plan for achieving a particular goal.
Taktik: A specific short-term method for achieving a goal.
Berechnung: A calculation of likely gains and losses guiding a decision.

Definition in German

Kalkül bezeichnet eine geplante, berechnende Absicht oder Strategie, bei der Vor- und Nachteile gegeneinander abgewogen werden.

Word origin

The German noun was borrowed through French from Latin calculus, meaning a small counting stone, and its sense broadened from calculation to calculated intent.

Usage tips

  • Its plural is Kalküle, and the noun is masculine: der Kalkül, des Kalküls, die Kalküle.

Other meanings

  • strategynoun
  • calculationnoun

Opposites

  • Aufrichtigkeitsinceritynoun
  • Spontaneitätspontaneitynoun

Related words

  • kalkulierencalculateverb
  • Kalkulationcalculationnoun
  • kalkulatorischcalculatoryadjective

Word lists with this word