The word Verständnis is a German noun that means understanding, comprehension, sympathy, appreciation, or insight1. It is derived from the verb verstehen, which means to understand, comprehend, or perceive. The suffix -nis is used to form abstract nouns from verbs or adjectives3.
The origin of the word verstehen can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic *furstēnijaną, which meant to stand before or in front of. This verb was composed of the prefix *fur-, meaning before or in front of, and the root *stē-, meaning to stand4. The prefix *fur- is cognate with the English for and fore, while the root *stē- is related to the English stand and stay.
The suffix -nis is derived from the Proto-Germanic *-nassuz, which was used to form abstract nouns from verbs or adjectives. This suffix is cognate with the English -ness and -nesses, as well as the Latin -ntia and -ntium, which are found in words like patientia (patience) and sapientia (wisdom).
The word Verständnis has been used in German since at least the 15th century. It has been influenced by the philosophical concept of Verstehen, which refers to the interpretive understanding of human action and social phenomena. Verstehen was developed by German thinkers such as Wilhelm Dilthey, Max Weber, and Georg Simmel in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In summary, Verständnis is a German word that means understanding or insight. It is derived from the verb verstehen, which means to understand or perceive. The suffix -nis is used to form abstract nouns from verbs or adjectives. The word Verständnis has a long history in German language and philosophy.
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