{"id":6759,"date":"2015-11-27T11:59:42","date_gmt":"2015-11-27T11:59:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/?p=6759"},"modified":"2017-11-22T14:38:13","modified_gmt":"2017-11-22T14:38:13","slug":"untranslatable-german-words-das-fingerspitzengefuhl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/untranslatable-german-words-das-fingerspitzengefuhl\/","title":{"rendered":"Untranslatable German Words: das Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello and welcome to another post on untranslatable German words, where I bring you the quirkiest, funniest and most intelligent words that the German language has to offer \u2013 and ones that are difficult to find a direct translation for!<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s word is das Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Identity\"<\/a>

Foto: sidelong on flickr.com under CC BY 2.0<\/p><\/div>\n

What does das Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl mean?<\/span><\/h3>\n

To have Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl means to have an intuitive instinct about any given situation, and to know how to react to it without having to deliberate. It also suggests a certain tact or sensitivity that comes with experience.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is the literal translation of das Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The word Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl is made up of the following words:
\nder Finger \u2013 finger
\ndie Spitzen \u2013 tips (plural of die Spitze)
\ndas Gef\u00fchl \u2013 feeling<\/p>\n

Its literal translation, therefore, is \u2018the fingertips feeling\u2019.<\/strong> This is because fingertips are very sensitive, yet very small parts of the human body: to have a \u2018fingertips feeling\u2019 implies understanding the finer details of a situation through heightened sensitivity to it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How would you use das Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl in a sentence?<\/span><\/h3>\n

You would say Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl f\u00fcr etwas haben<\/em> \u2013 to have a fingertips feeling for something.<\/span> An example sentence would be:
\n\u2018Jens hat so ein Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl f\u00fcr die Wirtschaft\u2018 (Jens has such a fingertips feeling for economics).<\/strong> This is often said as a huge compliment for anyone who displays a natural flair for something.<\/p>\n

To use a different context, displaying a complete lack<\/em> of Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl would be to say something like:
\n\u2018Der Pullover sieht schrecklich aus\u2019 (\u2018This jumper looks awful\u2019)<\/strong> to someone who is sensitive about the way they look. Somebody with Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl would recognise a person\u2019s self-consciousness and say instead, \u2018Der Pullover ist sch\u00f6n, aber mir gef\u00e4llt den Roten besser.\u2019 (\u2018This jumper is nice, but I prefer the red one\u2019).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The word Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl is most commonly used in business, politics, and personal relationships. It is also something that, according to one journalist, UK politician Ed Miliband does not have!<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is the nearest English equivalent to das Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The English language has actually adopted Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl as a loanword, so in a way it is its own English translation!<\/p>\n

However, there are a few phrases in English that hint at its meaning (and stick with the theme of body parts!). They are:<\/p>\n

\u2018To keep one\u2019s finger on the pulse\u2019<\/strong>
\nMeaning: To be up to date with goings-on in any particular field. This isn\u2019t exactly the same as having Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl, but the metaphor behind it is similar.<\/p>\n

\u2018To have a gut feeling\u2019<\/strong>
\nMeaning: To have an intuitive feeling about something. Like a Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl, having a gut feeling is something that comes naturally and is not based on any facts. But it could be based on experience, or great sensitivity to any given situation and\/or person.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Can you think of any more translations for Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl? Do you have a similar word in your language?<\/p>\n

Bis bald!<\/em><\/p>\n

Constanze<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Hello and welcome to another post on untranslatable German words, where I bring you the quirkiest, funniest and most intelligent words that the German language has to offer \u2013 and ones that are difficult to find a direct translation for! Today\u2019s word is das Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl. What does das Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl mean? To have Fingerspitzengef\u00fchl means to…<\/p>\n

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