die  Weitsicht

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvaɪ̯tˌzɪçt/

🤔 What Exactly Does "die Weitsicht" Mean?

Die Weitsicht is a feminine noun and primarily has two meanings:

• Figurative meaning: The ability to foresee future developments or consequences and plan wisely. It describes prudence, foresight, and strategic thinking. Example: Politicians need Weitsicht to make long-term decisions.
• Literal meaning (medical/optical): The ability to see distant objects clearly, often contrasted with nearsightedness. This is also called hyperopia or farsightedness. Example: My grandma needs reading glasses, but she has good Weitsicht (can see far away well).

🚨 It's important to understand from the context which meaning is intended.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of Weitsicht in Detail

Die Weitsicht is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular, especially in its figurative meaning. The plural ("die Weitsichten") is very rare and uncommon.

Declension (Singular)

Note: Since the figurative meaning is often abstract, it's frequently used without an article or with the definite article.

Example Sentences

1. Ihre Weitsicht bei der Planung bewahrte die Firma vor dem Bankrott.
   (Her foresight in planning saved the company from bankruptcy.)
2. Mit großer Weitsicht investierte er schon früh in erneuerbare Energien.
   (With great foresight, he invested early in renewable energies.)
3. Der Augenarzt stellte bei ihm eine leichte Weitsicht fest.
   (The ophthalmologist diagnosed him with slight farsightedness.)
4. Trotz ihres Alters hatte sie noch eine erstaunliche Weitsicht und erkannte das Schiff am Horizont.
   (Despite her age, she still had astonishing long-sightedness and recognized the ship on the horizon.)

💡 How "Weitsicht" Is Used

Figurative meaning (foresight):

• Context: Often in discussions about strategy, planning, politics, business, or personal development.
• Usage: Used to describe prudence, strategic thinking, and the ability to anticipate long-term consequences. You can "Weitsicht beweisen" (demonstrate foresight), "Weitsicht haben" (have foresight), or "mit Weitsicht handeln" (act with foresight).
• Comparison: Similar to Voraussicht (foresight) or Umsicht (circumspection), but often emphasizes greater temporal or strategic depth. Contrasts with Kurzsichtigkeit (short-sightedness in the figurative sense), meaning lack of planning.

Literal meaning (farsightedness):

• Context: Medicine (ophthalmology) or describing the ability to see at a distance.
• Usage: Describes the optical ability to see well into the distance. The medical term is Hyperopie.
• Comparison: The direct opposite of Kurzsichtigkeit (nearsightedness or myopia).

🧠 Mnemonics for Weitsicht

For the article 'die': Think of die Sicht (the sight/view). Whether it's near or weit (far), die Sicht is feminine. So: die Weit-sicht.

For the meaning: Imagine standing on a mountain with a 'weite Sicht' (wide view) over the land (literal). This 'weite Sicht' allows you to spot dangers or opportunities early and plan ahead (figurative). Someone who 'sieht weit' (sees far) has Weitsicht (foresight).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful: Kurzsichtigkeit can be the antonym for both the figurative and literal meanings of Weitsicht.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum tragen kurzsichtige Strategen keine Brille?
... Weil sie denken, Weitsicht sei nur etwas für Optiker!

(Why don't short-sighted strategists wear glasses?
... Because they think foresight (Weitsicht) is only something for opticians!)

📜 Poem about Foresight

Wer nur den nächsten Schritt bedenkt,
dem ist das Ziel oft schnell verschenkt.
Doch wer mit Weitsicht plant und schaut,
auf festem Grund die Zukunft baut.
Sie sieht, was fern, was kommen mag,
erhellt den Weg, Tag für Tag.

(Who only thinks of the next step,
often gives away the goal too quickly.
But who plans and looks with foresight,
builds the future on solid ground.
It sees what's far, what may come,
illuminates the path, day by day.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich sehe fern, doch bin kein Glas.
Ich plane klug, vermeide Nass.
Man braucht mich für die Strategie,
doch auch beim Blick aufs Knie?
(Nein, eher in die Ferne, sieh!)

Was bin ich? (I see far, but am no glass.
I plan wisely, avoid getting wet [i.e., avoid trouble].
You need me for strategy,
but also when looking at your knee?
(No, rather into the distance, see!))

What am I?
Solution: die Weitsicht (foresight / farsightedness)

➕ Additional Info

Word Composition:

The word Weitsicht is a compound noun, made up of:

• weit: Adjective meaning 'far', 'wide', or 'distant'.
• die Sicht: Noun meaning 'sight', 'view', or 'vision'.

So, the combination literally describes 'seeing far' and metaphorically extends this to the mental ability of foresight.