die  Vision

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/viˈzi̯oːn/

👁️ What does "die Vision" mean?

The word die Vision (noun, feminine) has several meanings in German:

• Future concept, guiding principle: A clear idea of the future, often in an entrepreneurial, political, or personal context. It describes a desirable goal or state. Example: Die Gründerin hatte eine klare Vision für ihr Unternehmen. (The founder had a clear vision for her company.)
• Eyesight, faculty of sight: Used less commonly, it can also mean the ability to see, but this usage is more medical or formal. Example: Nach der Operation verbesserte sich seine Vision leicht. (His vision improved slightly after the operation.) (More commonly, Germans use „Sehvermögen“ or „Sehkraft“ here).
• Supernatural apparition, hallucination: An appearance perceived as supernatural or as a sensory illusion. Example: Der Eremit berichtete von Visionen in der Wüste. (The hermit reported visions in the desert.)

🚨 Attention: The most common and everyday relevant meaning is that of the future concept or guiding principle.

📜 Grammar of "die Vision" in Detail

Die Vision is a feminine noun. Its declension follows the regular pattern for feminine nouns.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Vision des Architekten für das neue Museum war atemberaubend.
   (The architect's vision for the new museum was breathtaking. - Nominative Singular, future concept)
2. Wir arbeiten an der Umsetzung unserer Vision.
   (We are working on the implementation of our vision. - Dative Singular, future concept)
3. Er hatte seltsame Visionen nach dem Fieber.
   (He had strange visions after the fever. - Accusative Plural, apparitions)
4. Die Klarheit seiner Vision beeindruckte das Team.
   (The clarity of his vision impressed the team. - Genitive Singular, future concept)

🎯 How is "die Vision" used?

• In business/political contexts: Very commonly used to describe long-term goals, strategies, or the guiding principle of an organization or movement (e.g., Unternehmensvision - corporate vision, politische Vision - political vision).
• In personal contexts: Can also be used to describe personal life goals or future aspirations (e.g., Meine Vision ist es, eines Tages... - My vision is to one day...).
• In spiritual/religious contexts: Refers to supernatural appearances or revelations.
• In medical/optical contexts: Less common for eyesight; here, "Sehvermögen", "Sehkraft", or "Sehen" are more usual.

Comparison:

• Idee (idea): An Idee is often the initial spark, while a Vision is a more developed, comprehensive picture of the future.
• Ziel (goal): A Ziel is more concrete and measurable than a Vision, which is often more inspirational and directional.
• Traum (dream): A Traum can be more unrealistic, whereas a Vision (especially in a business context) aims for potential realization.

🧠 Mnemonics for Vision

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ion in German are almost always feminine (die Station, die Nation, die Aktion...). Think: Die Television shows a Vision. (Both feminine).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine looking through binoculars (like having visual Vision) into the future and seeing your big goal (your future Vision). Sometimes the image is so intense it seems like an apparition (a supernatural Vision).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Misleading Words:

• Revision: (review, revision) - Sounds similar but relates to checking or editing.
• Division: (division) - Relates to mathematics or military units.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum haben kurzsichtige Menschen keine gute Vision für die Zukunft?

Weil sie nur bis zur Nasenspitze planen können! 😉

(Why don't short-sighted people have a good vision for the future? Because they can only plan as far as the tip of their nose!)

✍️ Poem about Vision

Die Vision, klar und rein,
soll unser Leitstern sein.
Ein Bild der Zukunft, hell und groß,
entfacht im Herzen lichterloh.

Manchmal erscheint sie in der Nacht,
als hätt' ein Geist sie hergebracht.
Doch meist ist sie ein Plan, ein Ziel,
erreicht mit Fleiß und Fingerspiel.

(The vision, clear and pure,
shall be our guiding star.
A picture of the future, bright and grand,
ignited brightly in the heart's command.

Sometimes it appears in the night,
as if brought forth by a spirit's might.
But mostly it's a plan, a goal,
achieved with diligence and skill's control.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kann ein fernes Ziel beschreiben,
oder dich im Traume treiben.
Manchmal bin ich nur im Kopf,
manchmal brauchst du dafür einen Knopf (am Fernseher, scherzhaft 😉).
Ich leite Firmen, groß und klein,
was mag ich wohl sein?

(I can describe a distant aim,
or drive you in a dream's domain.
Sometimes I'm only in the head,
sometimes a button's used instead (on the TV, jokingly 😉).
I guide companies, big and small,
what might I be called?)

Solution: die Vision

🧐 More about Vision

Word Origin: The word "Vision" comes from the Latin visio (genitive: visionis), meaning “the act of seeing,” “sight,” or “apparition.” This, in turn, derives from the verb videre (“to see”).

Compounds: There are many compound words with "Vision", especially in the business world: Unternehmensvision (corporate vision), Zukunftsvision (future vision), Visionär (visionary - person), visionslos (visionless - adjective).