German word

List

Pronunciation

IPA/lɪst/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncunning

Example

Seine List hat ihm oft geholfen.

His cunning often helped him.

Illustration for List (cunning)

More examples

Mit List und Tücke entkam er den Verfolgern.

With cunning and malice, he escaped from his pursuers.

Core concept

A clever ruse works from the shadows, turning another person's expectations against them.

Common phrases

  • mit List und Tücke

    with cunning and malice

  • eine List anwenden

    use a ruse

Similar words

Betrug: Illegal deception used to take money, property, or someone's rights.
Trick: A simple method or device used to deceive someone.
Hinterlist: A sly, underhanded way of secretly causing someone harm.
Schläue: Cleverness used in a crafty and deceptive way.

Definition in German

Absichtliche, hinterhältige Taktik, die darauf abzielt, andere bewusst zu täuschen.

Word origin

The noun continues Old High German list and Middle High German list, whose meanings shifted from knowledge or skill to cunning and a deceptive plan.

Usage tips

  • German List is a false friend for English speakers: an itemized list is die Liste, not die List.

Other meanings

  • rusenoun
  • stratagemnoun

Opposites

  • Ehrlichkeithonestynoun
  • Aufrichtigkeitsinceritynoun

Related words

  • listigslyadjective
  • Listigkeitcunningnoun

Word lists with this word