die  Weltanschauung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvɛltʔanˌʃaʊʊŋ/

🌍 What exactly is a Weltanschauung?

Die Weltanschauung (feminine, plural: die Weltanschauungen) describes the fundamental overall view of a person or group on the world and human existence. It's a comprehensive concept encompassing beliefs about the origin and purpose of life, morality, ethics, politics, and society. You could call it the 'lens' through which someone perceives and interprets reality.

The term is composed of:

• Welt: Refers to the world, reality, existence.
• Anschauung: Refers to the view, perspective, way of looking at things.

There is only this one article, 'die', as the word is feminine. ⚠️ Confusion with similar terms like 'Weltbild' (world image) is possible, though 'Weltanschauung' often places a stronger emphasis on values and principles for action.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Weltanschauung

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

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

1. Seine politische Weltanschauung unterscheidet sich stark von meiner. (His political worldview differs greatly from mine.)
2. Philosophie beschäftigt sich oft mit der Entwicklung verschiedener Weltanschauungen. (Philosophy often deals with the development of different worldviews.)
3. Jede Kultur prägt eine spezifische Weltanschauung ihrer Mitglieder. (Every culture shapes a specific worldview in its members.)
4. Es ist wichtig, die Weltanschauung anderer zu respektieren, auch wenn man sie nicht teilt. (It is important to respect the worldview of others, even if one doesn't share it.)

💬 How to Use 'Weltanschauung'?

The term 'Weltanschauung' is frequently used in contexts relating to philosophy, religion, politics, sociology, and psychology. It describes a coherent system of beliefs and values.

• In everyday life: People talk about a person's personal 'Weltanschauung' to describe their fundamental attitudes and values (e.g., "Ihre optimistische Weltanschauung hilft ihr durch schwere Zeiten." - Her optimistic worldview helps her through hard times.).
• In academia: The term is used to analyze philosophical systems (e.g., the materialistische Weltanschauung - materialistic worldview) or ideological movements (e.g., the marxistische Weltanschauung - Marxist worldview).
• Distinction: 'Weltanschauung' is more comprehensive than 'Meinung' (opinion - a specific view) or 'Einstellung' (attitude - a general disposition). It implies a deeper, often systematically considered framework of beliefs.

One can haben (have), entwickeln (develop), vertreten (represent/hold), teilen (share), or ablehnen (reject) a Weltanschauung.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article 'die': Think of 'die Anschauung' (the view) or 'die Sichtweise' (the perspective). Both are feminine words in German, and a Weltanschauung is a comprehensive view of the world. So: die Weltanschauung. Imagine a grand, feminine figure contemplating the world - she has *die* Weltanschauung.

For the meaning: Break it down: Welt (World) + Anschauung (View/Outlook). It’s literally your 'world-view'. Imagine you are *viewing* the *world* through a specific pair of glasses - that's your Weltanschauung.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Weltanschauung

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Meinung: (Opinion) A specific view on a topic, less fundamental than a Weltanschauung.
• Einstellung: (Attitude) A general disposition, often emotionally colored.

😂 A Little Joke

Ein Pessimist fragt einen Optimisten: "Ist das Glas halb leer oder halb voll?"
Sagt der Realist: "Es ist ein Glas mit Wasser drin."
Sagt der Surrealist: "Da schwimmt ein Fisch auf einem Fahrrad!"
Sagt der Ingenieur: "Das Glas ist doppelt so groß wie nötig."

Translation:

A pessimist asks an optimist: "Is the glass half empty or half full?"
Says the realist: "It's a glass with water in it."
Says the surrealist: "There's a fish swimming on a bicycle!"
Says the engineer: "The glass is twice as big as necessary."

Everyone has their own Weltanschauung, right? 😉

✍️ Poem about Weltanschauung

Die Welt, ein Buch mit vielen Seiten,
Durch das wir täglich staunend schreiten.
Was wir drin seh'n, wie wir's versteh'n,
Lässt uns're eig'ne Richtung geh'n.

Ein Fenster, klar, getönt, vielleicht,
Durch das der Blick die Wahrheit reicht?
Nein, nur ein Rahmen, selbstgemacht,
Die Weltanschauung, gut durchdacht.

Sie formt das Denken, Tun und Sein,
Mal groß, mal eng, mal rein, mal Schein.
Ein Kompass tief in unsrer Brust,
Mal Freud', mal Leid, mal Frust, mal Lust.

Translation:

The world, a book with many pages,
Through which we stride each day amazed.
What we see there, how we comprehend,
Lets our own path extend.

A window, clear, or tinted slight,
Through which our gaze reaches truth's light?
No, just a frame, self-made design,
The Weltanschauung, thoughtfully thine.

It shapes our thinking, deeds, and core,
Sometimes vast, sometimes less, sometimes pure, sometimes flawed lore.
A compass deep within our breast,
Sometimes joy, sometimes sorrow, frustration, zest.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin dein innerer Kompass, deine Brille für die Welt,
Durch mich wird Sinn und Ordnung oft erst hergestellt.
Ich präge deine Werte, dein Denken und dein Tun,
Philosophen streiten über mich, lassen niemals ruh'n.

Mal politisch, mal religiös, mal ganz privat,
Ich bin das große Ganze, nicht nur ein Zitat.
Ich bin feminin im Deutschen, mit 'die' fängt's an,

Wie heißt das Wort, das all dies leisten kann?

Translation:

I am your inner compass, your glasses for the world,
Through me, meaning and order are often first unfurled.
I shape your values, your thinking, and your deed,
Philosophers argue over me, never rest indeed.

Sometimes political, religious, sometimes private and apart,
I am the bigger picture, not just a quote or art.
I am feminine in German, with 'die' I start, you see,

What is the word that can accomplish all of this for thee?

Answer: die Weltanschauung

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Weltanschauung' is a compound noun, formed from:

• die Welt (noun): world
• die Anschauung (noun): view, perspective, intuition (derived from the verb 'anschauen' - to look at, to view)

Cultural Significance:

The term holds particular significance in German philosophy and intellectual history (e.g., with Dilthey, Jaspers, Freud). It often emphasizes the subjective, holistic grasp of reality, as opposed to a purely objective, scientific description.

International Usage:

The German word 'Weltanschauung' has been adopted as a loanword into many other languages (including English: Weltanschauung), because it denotes a specific concept for which there is not always an exact equivalent.