German word

Zuwendung

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsuːˌvɛndʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncare

Example

Die Zuwendung der Lehrerin half dem schüchternen Kind.

The teacher's care helped the shy child.

Illustration for Zuwendung (care)

More examples

In schweren Zeiten suchte sie Zuwendung bei ihrer Familie.

In difficult times, she sought care from her family.

Core concept

Someone deliberately faces another person and sends support in that person's direction, through attention, affection, practical help, or money.

Common phrases

  • liebevolle Zuwendung

    loving care

  • mangelnde Zuwendung

    lack of care

  • Zuwendung zeigen

    show care

Similar words

Aufmerksamkeit: Deliberately noticing and attending to another person's words or presence.
Fürsorge: Ongoing care and protection provided responsibly in daily life.
Zuneigung: Warm feelings of fondness or love toward another person.
Unterstützung: Help that strengthens someone physically or emotionally while pursuing a goal.

Definition in German

Aufmerksamkeit, Zuneigung oder praktische Hilfe, die man jemandem gibt.

Word origin

Zuwendung developed from zuwenden, literally to turn toward, and acquired the figurative sense of directing attention, support, or resources to someone.

Usage tips

  • For personal care, jemandem Zuwendung entgegenbringen or jemandem Zuwendung geben is idiomatic, with the person receiving it marked by the dative.

Other meanings

  • attentionnoun
  • affectionnoun
  • grantnoun

Opposites

  • Desinteresseindifferencenoun
  • Herzlosigkeitheartlessnessnoun

Related words

  • zuwendendcaringadjective
  • Zuwendungsbereitschaftwillingness to show carenoun

Word lists with this word