German word

Mechanismus

Pronunciation

IPA/meçaˈnɪsmʊs/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmechanism

Example

Ich verstehe den Mechanismus dieser Uhr nicht.

I can't understand how this clock works.

Illustration for Mechanismus (mechanism)

More examples

Ich versuche, den Mechanismus hinter diesem Vorgang zu verstehen.

I am trying to understand the mechanism behind this process.

Core concept

An arrangement of components or stages shows how an outcome is produced.

Common phrases

  • den Mechanismus verstehen

    understand the mechanism

  • den Mechanismus erklären

    explain the mechanism

Similar words

Funktion: The way something works and produces its intended result.
Prinzip: The basic idea that explains how something is formed or works.
Aufbau: The arrangement and structure of a thing's parts.
Vorgang: The process or sequence through which something takes place.

Definition in German

Mechanismus bezeichnet eine Anordnung von Teilen oder Schritten, die zusammenwirken, damit etwas auf eine bestimmte Weise funktioniert.

Word origin

The German noun Mechanismus was borrowed through Latin from Greek mechanismos, which referred to the working or construction of a device.

Usage tips

  • Mechanismus is more technical than everyday phrases such as 'wie etwas funktioniert' when explaining how something works.

Other meanings

  • working principlenoun
  • devicenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • mechanischmechanicaladjective
  • mechanistischmechanisticadjective
  • Mechanisierungmechanizationnoun

Word lists with this word