die  Neigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnaɪ̯ɡʊŋ/

📖 What does "die Neigung" mean?

The German word die Neigung (feminine) primarily has two meanings:

1. Tendency or Inclination (psychological/emotional): An inner leaning towards something or someone, a propensity for a certain behavior or interest. Example: Sie hat eine Neigung zur Melancholie. (She has a tendency towards melancholy.) Er hat eine starke Neigung zu künstlerischen Tätigkeiten. (He has a strong inclination for artistic activities.)
2. Slope or Gradient (physical/technical): A deviation from the horizontal or vertical; an angle at which a surface or line is tilted. Example: Die Neigung des Daches ist zu gering. (The slope of the roof is too shallow.) Die Straße hat eine starke Neigung. (The road has a steep gradient/incline.)

🚨 Attention: Don't confuse the psychological `Neigung` with `Zuneigung` (affection), although they can be related. `Neigung` is often more neutral or can even describe a tendency towards something negative.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧮 Grammar of Neigung in Detail

The noun "Neigung" is feminine. The article is die.

Example Sentences

• Psychological: Seine Neigung zu schnellen Autos brachte ihn oft in Schwierigkeiten.
  (His penchant/tendency for fast cars often got him into trouble.)
• Psychological: Ich habe keine besondere Neigung zu Süßigkeiten.
  (I don't have a particular inclination/liking for sweets.)
• Physical: Der Architekt berechnete die optimale Neigung des Solarmoduls.
  (The architect calculated the optimal inclination/tilt of the solar panel.)
• Physical: Wegen der starken Neigung des Geländes ist der Bau schwierig.
  (Because of the steep slope of the terrain, construction is difficult.)

💬 Usage in Context

The use of "Neigung" heavily depends on the context:

• In a psychological/character context: Used when talking about personality traits, interests, talents, or weaknesses. Often used with the preposition "zu": `Neigung zu Übertreibungen` (tendency to exaggerate), `Neigung zur Musik` (inclination towards music). Synonyms like `Tendenz` (tendency) or `Hang` (propensity, leaning) are often interchangeable here, although `Neigung` might suggest a slightly more positive or deeper disposition than `Tendenz`.
• In a physical/technical context: Refers to angles, slopes, gradients of objects, surfaces, or lines. Here, synonyms like `Schräge` (slope, slant), `Gefälle` (gradient, slope), or `Winkel` (angle) are more common depending on the specific application (e.g., `Dachneigung` - roof pitch, `Neigungswinkel` - angle of inclination).

⚠️ Compared to `Zuneigung` (affection, fondness), `Neigung` describes a more general tendency or interest, whereas `Zuneigung` expresses a specific, positive emotional bond towards a person or thing.

𞧠 Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Neigung like die intuition – both are often considered feminine concepts (`die`) and relate to an inner leaning or feeling. The 'ie' ending might also help.

Meaning Mnemonic: The verb is `neigen` (to lean, bend, tend). Imagine someone or something *leaning* (`neigt`): a head *leans* in agreement (tendency), a tower *leans* to the side (slope). The Neigung is the result of this leaning action.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• Zuneigung: (Affection, fondness) Stronger emotionally and more positive than the general `Neigung`. Usually refers to people.
• Geneigtheit: (Inclination, willingness) Expresses goodwill or readiness (e.g., `die Geneigtheit, zuzuhören` - the willingness to listen).

🤣 A Little Joke

Warum hat der schiefe Turm von Pisa eine Neigung zur Physik?
Weil er ständig das Gleichgewicht sucht! 😉

(Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa have an inclination towards physics?
Because it's constantly looking for balance!)

🖋 Poem about Neigung

Die Neigung, sanft und leis, Mal führt sie heiß, mal führt sie kalt auf's Eis.
Im Herzen tief, ein Hang, ein Drang, Bestimmt den Schritt, den Lebensgang.

Auch Flächen neigen sich, mal steil, mal flach,
Ein Winkel nur, vom Boden oder Dach.
So zeigt die Neigung, innen wie im Raum,
Des Lebens Richtung, oft ein stiller Traum.

(Inclination, soft and low,
Sometimes leads hot, sometimes cold to icy floe.
Deep in the heart, a bent, a drive,
Determines the step, the way we strive.)

(Surfaces too, they tilt and lean,
An angle merely, steep or keen.
Thus shows inclination, within and in space,
Life's direction, often a silent dream's grace.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch zeige eine Richtung an.
Ich habe kein Gefühl, doch lenke oft den Mann (oder die Frau). Man misst mich oft in Grad, mal bin ich steil, mal bin ich sacht.
Was bin ich, mal im Herzen, mal am Bau erdacht?

(I have no mouth, but show a direction.
I have no feeling, yet often guide a person's action.
I'm often measured in degrees, sometimes steep, sometimes slight.
What am I, sometimes in the heart, sometimes conceived for a construction site?)

Solution: Die Neigung (inclination/slope)

💡 Other Information

Word Formation: `Die Neigung` is a noun derived from the verb neigen (to lean, bend, tend). The suffix -ung is frequently used in German to form feminine nouns from verbs, often describing the process or result of the action (e.g., `hoffen` -> `die Hoffnung` - hope; `warnen` -> `die Warnung` - warning).

Related Terms: `Neigungswinkel` (angle of inclination), `Neigungssensor` (tilt sensor), `Neigungsehe` (marriage based on inclination/love, an older term).