die  Besinnung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈzɪnʊŋ/

🤔 What does "die Besinnung" mean?

The German word die Besinnung primarily has two meanings:

1. Consciousness / State of being conscious: This refers to the state of being lucid and aware. It's often used in the context of regaining consciousness after fainting or confusion.

   Example: Nach dem Sturz kam er langsam wieder zu Besinnung. (After the fall, he slowly regained consciousness.)

2. Reflection / Contemplation / Composure: This refers to quiet thought, gathering one's thoughts, or introspection. It describes a moment of calm and focus on oneself or a topic.

   Example: In der Stille des Waldes fand sie Zeit zur Besinnung. (In the silence of the forest, she found time for reflection.)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning. The first meaning is often medical or describes a physical/mental state, while the second is more philosophical or everyday in the sense of reflection.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Besinnung"

Die Besinnung is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular because states like consciousness or the concept of reflection are often uncountable. The plural ("die Besinnungen") is rare and would typically refer to repeated moments of reflection or specific, individual states of consciousness, which is uncommon usage.

Declension Singular

📝 Example Sentences

• (Consciousness) Der Patient verlor kurz die Besinnung. (The patient briefly lost consciousness.)
• (Consciousness) Er rang nach Besinnung, als er aus dem Koma erwachte. (He struggled for consciousness when he woke up from the coma.)
• (Reflection) Die Feiertage sind eine Zeit der Ruhe und Besinnung. (The holidays are a time of peace and reflection.)
• (Reflection) Nimm dir einen Moment zur Besinnung, bevor du antwortest. (Take a moment for reflection before you answer.)

💡 How to use "die Besinnung"?

The usage of die Besinnung depends heavily on the context:

• Zur Besinnung kommen/bringen: This phrase means to regain consciousness or to bring someone to their senses / make someone see reason. Example: Kaltes Wasser brachte ihn wieder zur Besinnung. (Cold water brought him back to consciousness. / Cold water made him see reason.)
• Die Besinnung verlieren: This means to faint or lose consciousness. Example: Vor Schreck verlor sie die Besinnung. (She lost consciousness out of fright.)
• Zeit zur Besinnung: This refers to a period of reflection and introspection. Example: Nach dem stressigen Projekt brauchte er Zeit zur Besinnung. (After the stressful project, he needed time for reflection.)
• Besinnung auf etwas (Akk): Reflecting on or returning to certain values or principles. Example: Eine Besinnung auf traditionelle Handwerkskunst. (A reflection on traditional craftsmanship.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Bewusstsein: Often a more neutral term for the state of being awake and aware. "Besinnung" (in the sense of consciousness) often emphasizes regaining it after a loss.
• Nachdenken: Is the active process of thinking, whereas "Besinnung" (in the sense of reflection) describes more a state of quiet contemplation.
• Einkehr: Very similar to the second meaning of Besinnung, often emphasizing withdrawal from the outside world for inner contemplation.

🧠 Mnemonics for Besinnung

For the article: Think of "die Ruhe" (the calm) or "die Einkehr" (the contemplation) – both are feminine words in German and fit the meaning of Besinnung as reflection. Also, imagine someone turns on 'die' light (consciousness returns).

For the meaning: Imagine someone is 'be-sinn-ing' – using their 'Sinn' (sense, mind) to reflect or regain their senses (consciousness). It contains "Sinn" – Besinnung is about being conscious ('bei Sinnen sein') or thinking about the meaning/sense ('Sinn') of something.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar sounding/confusing words:

• Besonnenheit (die): Refers to the quality of being calm and level-headed (besonnen), not the state or act of reflection (Besinnung) itself.
• Sinn (der): Is part of Besinnung, but refers to a sense (like sight) or meaning/purpose.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Philosoph beim Meditieren die Augen geschlossen?
Damit er nicht die Besinnung verliert, wenn er sieht, wie teuer die Stille ist!

(Why did the philosopher close his eyes while meditating?
So he wouldn't lose consciousness when he saw how expensive silence is!)

📜 A Poem about Besinnung

In stiller Stund', bei Kerzenschein,
find' ich zur Ruh', bin ganz allein.
Die Welt da draußen, laut und schnell,
verblasst im Geist, wird wieder hell.
Die Besinnung kehrt nun bei mir ein,
lässt mich erkennen, lässt mich sein.

(In silent hours, by candlelight,
I find my peace, alone in night.
The world outside, so loud and fast,
fades in the mind, its brightness cast.
Reflection now returns to me,
lets me perceive, lets me just be.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich kann verloren gehen und wiederkehren.
Manchmal suche ich mich in der Stille, um zu lernen.
Bin ich weg, ist alles dunkel und leer.
Bin ich da, ist der Geist wieder klar und hehr.

Was bin ich?

(I can be lost and can return.
Sometimes I'm sought in silence, lessons to learn.
If I am gone, all is dark and bare.
If I am present, the mind is again clear and fair.)

What am I?

Solution: die Besinnung (consciousness / reflection)

🤓 Trivia

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word "Besinnung" is derived from the verb besinnen. This verb, in turn, comes from "Sinn" (sense, mind, meaning). "Sich besinnen" originally meant "to find one's senses again" or "to become aware of one's senses," which reflects both main meanings (consciousness and reflection) well.

Related Words:

• besinnlich (adjective): reflective, quiet, contemplative (e.g., eine besinnliche Zeit - a contemplative time)
• sich besinnen (verb): to reflect, to remember, to come to one's senses
• Besonnenheit (noun, feminine): the quality of acting calmly and deliberately