German Conversation · Level 59
75 words
German word
entgegen
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛntˈgeːgən/
Meaning
- prepositionagainst
Example
Das ist meinem Wunsch entgegen.
That goes against what I want.
More examples
Sein Verhalten war den Erwartungen entgegen.
His behavior was contrary to expectations.
Core concept
A traveler moves toward an oncoming person while a plan runs against its expected course.
Common phrases
meinem Wunsch entgegen
contrary to my wishes
den Erwartungen entgegen
contrary to expectations
dem Plan entgegen
contrary to the plan
Similar words
trotz: In spite of an adverse circumstance, while remaining unaffected by it.
gegen: Taking an opposing position or action against someone or something.
gegenüber: Situated across from someone or something and facing it.
Definition in German
Gibt an, dass etwas jemandes Wunsch, Aussage oder einer allgemein erwarteten Richtung entgegenläuft.
Word origin
Entgegen combines the prefix ent- with gegen, a Germanic word related to English 'against', and developed from Middle High German forms with meanings of approach and opposition.
Usage tips
- With motion verbs, entgegen can mean 'toward', as in jemandem entgegengehen, rather than 'against' in the usual English sense.
Other meanings
- towardpreposition
Opposites
- entsprechendaccording topreposition
Related words
- Entgegenkommenaccommodating attitudenoun
- entgegenkommendobligingadjective