German Conversation · Level 78
59 words
German word
Ursprung
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈuːɐ̯ʃpʁʊŋ/
Meaning
- masculine nounorigin
Example
Der Ursprung dieses Brauchs ist unklar.
The origin of this custom is unclear.
More examples
Die Kartoffel hat ihren Ursprung in Südamerika.
The potato has its origin in South America.
Core concept
The point at the beginning from which something develops and takes its later form.
Common phrases
seinen Ursprung in
have its origin in
den Ursprung nachweisen
prove the origin
Similar words
Herkunft: A person's birthplace, family background, or upbringing.
Quelle: The source or reference from which information or an object comes.
Definition in German
Der ursprüngliche Beginn oder die Quelle, aus der etwas entstanden ist.
Word origin
The noun Ursprung developed from the Germanic verb springen, 'to spring', with ur- marking what is original or initial.
Usage tips
- Ursprung often sounds more formal than Herkunft in everyday speech, while Herkunft commonly focuses on a person's or thing's background.
Other meanings
- sourcenoun
- starting pointnoun
Related words
- ursprünglichoriginaladjective
- Ursprungsnachweisproof of originnoun