Translation of German word "Gedanke" to English
derGedanke
/ɡeːdn̩akə/
Meaning
NounMasculine weak noun meaning 'thought / idea / reflection'.
How to use
The masculine noun Gedanke ('thought / idea / concept') belongs to the weak masculine declension (n-declension), but is irregular: in the genitive singular, it takes the ending -ns (des Gedankens). In other oblique cases, it takes -n (dem Gedanken, den Gedanken). Plural is Gedanken. The related verb is denken (to think).
🇬🇧 English
thought / idea
Example
Ein Gedanke kam mir in den Sinn.
A thought came to my mind.
Ich habe einen guten Gedanken.
I have a good thought.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- sich Gedanken machen über— to worry / think about (idiom, requires dative reflexive + 'über' + accusative)
- Gedankengang— train of thought (related compound)
- keinen Gedanken verschwenden— to not waste a thought on (requires 'an' + accusative)
More Abstract Concepts words
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #511 in German
Learn them all! 🚀
Master the 1000 most common German words with smart explanations, audio pronunciation, and spaced repetition.
Start Learning For Free →No sign-up required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "der Gedanke"?▼
The German word "der Gedanke" is defined as: "Masculine weak noun meaning 'thought / idea / reflection'."
What does the German word "der Gedanke" mean?▼
The German word "der Gedanke" means "thought / idea" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "Gedanke"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "Gedanke" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "Gedanke"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ein Gedanke kam mir in den Sinn." (which translates as "A thought came to my mind.").
Other words with article der
Related reading
Der, Die, Das: How to Master German Articles Without Memorizing Rules
A practical guide to learning German noun genders. Discover pattern-based shortcuts, suffix rules, and memory techniques that actually work — no rote memorization needed.
Read →GermanHow Many Words Do You Need to Be Fluent in German?
Discover the science of vocabulary acquisition. Learn how many German words are needed for basic conversations, professional fluency, and near-native comprehension.
Read →