German word

Unverständnis

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊnfɛɐ̯ˌʃtɛntnɪs/

Meaning

  • neuter nounlack of understanding

Example

Wegen des Unverständnisses kam es zu Missverständnissen.

Because of the lack of understanding, misunderstandings arose.

Illustration for Unverständnis (lack of understanding)

More examples

Die Bemerkung des Chefs erntete Unverständnis im Team.

The boss's remark was met with incomprehension within the team.

Core concept

An exchange leaves one side without a clear grasp of what the other side means or does.

Common phrases

  • Unverständnis ernten

    be met with incomprehension

  • auf Unverständnis stoßen

    meet with incomprehension

Similar words

Missverständnis: An interpretation that gives a message or statement the wrong meaning.
Verständnis: A grasp of another person's meaning, feelings, or position.
Verwirrung: A state of mental confusion about what is happening or how things connect.
Unklarheit: A state in which information or explanations are not clear enough to understand.

Definition in German

Unverständnis bezeichnet das Fehlen von Verständnis oder das Nicht-Nachvollziehen einer Aussage, Handlung oder Haltung.

Word origin

Unverständnis is derived from Verständnis by adding the negative prefix un-, a productive German formation that marks the absence of understanding.

Usage tips

  • The related adjective verständnislos means showing no understanding, while unverständlich means difficult or impossible to understand.

Other meanings

  • incomprehensionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • verständnislosuncomprehendingadjective
  • Verständnislosigkeitincomprehensionnoun

Word lists with this word