German word

Wille

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɪlə/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwill

Example

Sie hat den Willen, die Prüfung zu bestehen.

She has the determination to pass the exam.

Illustration for Wille (will)

More examples

Er zeigte einen festen Willen und gab nicht auf.

He showed firm determination and did not give up.

Core concept

An inner steering force that directs a person's actions toward a chosen outcome.

Common phrases

  • aus freiem Willen

    of one's own free will

  • einen festen Willen zeigen

    show firm determination

Similar words

Wunsch: A desire for something to happen or be obtained.
Ziel: A clearly defined result that someone seeks to reach.
Absicht: A conscious decision to do something or make it happen.

Definition in German

Ein bewusster Entschluss oder innerer Wunsch, der das Handeln leitet.

Word origin

Wille descends from Old High German willo and shares Germanic ancestry with the English noun will.

Usage tips

  • Wille is masculine, with the genitive form Willens and the common accusative form Willen, as in den Willen haben.

Other meanings

  • intentionnoun
  • willingnessnoun

Opposites

  • Gleichgültigkeitindifferencenoun

Related words

  • einwilligenconsentverb
  • Willensstärkewillpowernoun

Word lists with this word