die  Tendenz

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/tɛnˈdɛnts/

📈 What does 'die Tendenz' mean?

The German word die Tendenz (plural: die Tendenzen) describes a noticeable direction of development, an inclination, or a current moving in a specific direction. It's a feminine noun, so the article is always 'die'. 🚨 There are no other articles for this word.

It translates to several English concepts:

• Tendency/Inclination: An inherent disposition or leaning towards something (e.g., Er hat eine Tendenz zur Übertreibung - He has a tendency to exaggerate).
• Trend: A general direction in which something is developing or changing (e.g., eine steigende Tendenz der Preise - a rising trend in prices; often used for market or statistical developments).
• Bias/Leaning: A particular (often political or ideological) orientation or intention underlying a work or statement (e.g., ein Artikel mit klarer politischer Tendenz - an article with a clear political bias).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: die Tendenz

The noun 'Tendenz' is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences 📝

1. Die Tendenz zu nachhaltigen Produkten nimmt zu. (The tendency/trend towards sustainable products is increasing.)
2. Man erkennt bei ihm eine Tendenz zur Prokrastination. (One recognizes in him a tendency towards procrastination.)
3. Der Bericht analysiert die aktuellen wirtschaftlichen Tendenzen. (The report analyzes the current economic trends.)
4. Wir müssen den negativen Tendenzen entgegenwirken. (We must counteract the negative tendencies.)

💡 How to Use 'Tendenz'?

The term 'Tendenz' is often used to describe developments or inclinations that are not yet complete or established but show a clear direction.

• Economics & Statistics: Describing market developments, stock prices, survey results (e.g., eine fallende Tendenz - a downward trend, Wachstumstendenz - growth tendency/trend).
• Society & Politics: Describing social currents, political orientations, or shifts in opinion (e.g., populistische Tendenzen - populist tendencies, Tendenz zur Mitte - tendency towards the center).
• Personality & Behavior: Describing character traits or behavioral patterns (e.g., Tendenz zur Melancholie - tendency towards melancholy, Tendenz zum Perfektionismus - tendency towards perfectionism).
• Art & Literature: Describing the orientation or intention of a work (e.g., Tendenzroman - novel with a specific bias/message, politische Tendenz - political bias).

Compared to 'Trend', 'Tendenz' is often somewhat more general or describes a more fundamental inclination, whereas 'Trend' often relates more strongly to current fashions or shorter-term developments. 'Neigung' (inclination) is more personal than 'Tendenz'.

🧠 Mnemonics for Tendenz

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -enz in German (like Konferenz, Präsenz, Kompetenz) are almost always feminine. So: die Tendenz. Think of the -ence ending in English, which often corresponds to the German feminine -enz.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Tendenz' sounds very similar to the English word 'tendency' and means the same thing. If you tend towards something, you have a Tendenz.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Although 'Trend' is often used synonymously, 'Tendenz' can describe a more subtle, longer-term, or even internal inclination, while 'Trend' is often more external and potentially short-lived.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Statistiker: "Wie sehen die aktuellen Verkaufstendenzen aus?" Sagt der Statistiker: "Sehr positiv! Die Tendenz zeigt klar nach oben – auf meiner Gehaltsabrechnung!"

(Translation: The boss asks the statistician: "How are the current sales tendencies looking?" The statistician says: "Very positive! The tendency is clearly pointing upwards – on my paycheck!")

✍️ Poem about Tendenz

Die Welt sich wandelt, Tag für Tag,
man spürt es kaum, doch's ist kein Frag'.
Ein leises Wehen, kaum zu seh'n,
lässt neue Tendenzen entsteh'n.

Mal steigt der Kurs, mal fällt er tief,
mal ist die Mode grell und schief.
Wohin die Reise wirklich geht?
Die Tendenz es leise prophezeit.

(Translation):
The world is changing, day by day,
one hardly feels it, but it's no question.
A gentle breeze, barely seen,
lets new tendencies arise.

Sometimes the rate rises, sometimes it falls deep,
sometimes fashion is gaudy and askew.
Where the journey truly leads?
The tendency quietly predicts it.

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich zeige dir, wohin es geht,
ob Wind sich dreht, ob Aktie steht.
Ich bin 'ne Richtung, eine Neigung,
des Marktes oder deiner Meinung.

Mal steigend, fallend, klar ersichtlich,
mal subtil und nur ganz schlichtlich.
Bin weiblich, endet auf '-enz'.
Wie heiß ich? Ich bin die ...?

(Translation):
I show you where things are going,
whether the wind turns, whether the stock holds.
I am a direction, an inclination,
of the market or of your opinion.

Sometimes rising, falling, clearly visible,
sometimes subtle and just very simple.
I am feminine, ending in '-enz'.
What's my name? I am die ...?
(Answer: Tendenz)

🧩 Other Information

Word Origin: The word 'Tendenz' comes from the Latin verb tendere, meaning 'to stretch', 'to strive', 'to incline', or 'to extend'. The ending '-enz' derives from the Latin suffix -entia, used to form abstract nouns.

Compound Words: There are several compound words involving 'Tendenz', such as:

• Tendenzwende: (A reversal of a previous trend or tendency.)
• Tendenzbetrieb: (An establishment primarily serving political, religious, charitable, or similar non-commercial goals, relevant in German labor law.)
• Tendenzroman/-drama: (A novel or drama with a clear political or ideological message or bias.)