der  Konsens

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔnˈzɛns/

🤝 What does "der Konsens" mean?

Der Konsens (noun, masculine) means agreement of opinions or a shared understanding within a group of people. It's about all participants agreeing to a certain viewpoint, decision, or course of action, often after discussion or negotiation. It's equivalent to the English word consensus.

There is only one article for this word: der. It always describes the concept of agreement.

Example: Nach langer Debatte wurde endlich ein Konsens erzielt. (After a long debate, a consensus was finally reached.)

🧐 Grammar of "Konsens" in Detail

The word "Konsens" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Politiker suchen nach einem breiten Konsens in dieser wichtigen Frage. (The politicians are looking for a broad consensus on this important issue.)
2. Ohne den Konsens aller Mitglieder kann die Entscheidung nicht getroffen werden. (Without the consensus of all members, the decision cannot be made.)
3. Der soziale Konsens ist für den Zusammenhalt der Gesellschaft wichtig. (Social consensus is important for the cohesion of society.)
4. Es war schwierig, einen Konsens zu finden, da die Meinungen weit auseinandergingen. (It was difficult to find a consensus because opinions differed widely.)

🗣️ How to use "Konsens"?

"Konsens" is frequently used in contexts where decisions need to be made or common ground needs to be found:

• Politics: In negotiations between parties or in legislative processes (e.g., "einen politischen Konsens erzielen" - to achieve political consensus).
• Society: To describe general agreement on values or norms (e.g., "gesellschaftlicher Konsens" - social consensus).
• Group decisions: In teams, clubs, or organizations when a common basis is sought (e.g., "im Team einen Konsens herstellen" - to establish consensus within the team).
• Science: Describing a prevailing opinion among experts (e.g., "wissenschaftlicher Konsens zum Klimawandel" - scientific consensus on climate change).

Distinction from similar words:

• Übereinstimmung (agreement): Similar, but often more general and can also refer to facts or data. "Konsens" emphasizes the shared opinion of people more strongly.
• Einigung (agreement, settlement): Often refers to the result of a negotiation or dispute where compromises were made. "Konsens" often implies a deeper, shared conviction.
• Kompromiss (compromise): A solution where each side makes concessions. A "Konsens" may, but does not have to, involve compromise – it can also be complete agreement on one option.

Common verbs used with Konsens are: finden (to find), erzielen (to achieve), erreichen (to reach), or herstellen (to establish).

💡 Mnemonics for "Konsens"

For the article 'der': Think of 'DER leader' or 'DER boss' – traditionally, these roles (often held by men) are the ones who need to facilitate agreement. Therefore: der Konsens.

For the meaning 'agreement/consensus': Konsens sounds a bit like 'consent' or 'constructively sending' opinions together. When everyone constructively 'sends' and combines their opinions, you reach agreement – the Konsens. It's very close to the English 'consensus'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words

• Konsensual: Adjective related to Konsens (e.g., eine konsensuale Entscheidung - a consensual decision).
• Lizenz: Sounds slightly similar but means 'license' or 'permit'.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef sein Team: "Sind wir uns alle einig, dass wir unterschiedlicher Meinung sind?" Ein Mitarbeiter: "Ja, Chef, das ist der einzige Konsens, den wir heute erreichen werden!"

English: The boss asks his team: "Do we all agree that we disagree?" An employee replies: "Yes, boss, that's the only consensus we'll reach today!"

📜 Poem about Consensus

German:
Viele Köpfe, viele Stimmen,
die im Raum nun leise klimmen.
Jeder spricht, was er grad denkt,
hofft, dass man ihm Glauben schenkt.

Doch das Ziel ist nicht der Streit,
sondern Einigkeit, ganz weit.
Langsam, Wort für Wort im Raum,
wächst der Konsens, wie ein Traum.
Am End' nickt jeder, stimmt mit ein,
so soll die Einigung sein.

English:
Many heads and many voices,
glimmer softly, making choices.
Each one speaks what's on their mind,
hoping trust is what they'll find.

But the goal is not the fight,
rather unity, shining bright.
Slowly, word by word takes hold,
consensus grows, a story told.
At the end, each nods assent,
agreement found, time well spent.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin kein Streit und kein Befehl,
entsteh' oft langsam, aus der Seel’
von vielen, die zusammenfinden,
um Meinungschaos zu überwinden.

Man sucht mich in Politik und Rat,
ich bin das Ergebnis guter Tat (der Diskussion).
Hab' ich mich endlich eingestellt,
ist die Entscheidung leicht gefällt.

Wer bin ich?

English:
I'm not a quarrel, not command,
I often grow slowly, across the land (of minds).
From many who together meet,
to overcome opinion's heat.

They seek me out in state and council,
I am the result of thoughtful counsel (discussion).
Once I have finally appeared,
the decision's easily steered.

What am I? (Answer: der Konsens / consensus)

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The German word "Konsens" comes from the Latin word consensus, meaning "agreement, accord". It derives from the verb consentire: "to agree" (literally: "to feel together" – from con = "with, together" and sentire = "to feel, perceive, think").

Konsensprinzip (Consensus Principle): In many decision-making models (e.g., Sociocracy, Holacracy), the Konsensprinzip is central. It means that a decision is only made if none of the participants has a serious, reasoned objection.