Fingerspitzengefühl
/ˈfɪŋɐˌʃpɪtsn̩ɡəˌfyːl/
der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)
Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.
Meaning
-
tact, a delicate feel for a situation
Literally "fingertip-feeling" — the kind of instinct a surgeon or a skilled negotiator has: knowing exactly how much pressure, or how few words, a moment calls for.
-
Diese Verhandlung erfordert viel Fingerspitzengefühl.
This negotiation calls for a lot of tact.
-
Made of
- Finger finger
- Spitzen tips (plural of Spitze)
- Gefühl feeling
Similar words
Feingefühl ("fine feeling") is a general character trait — being sensitive and tactful as a person. Fingerspitzengefühl is narrower and more practical: the situational skill of handling one specific delicate moment exactly right, whether or not you're a generally sensitive person.
Practice
1 What does Fingerspitzengefühl mean?
tact, a delicate feel for a situation
2 Fill the gap: Diese Verhandlung erfordert viel ___.
Full sentence: Diese Verhandlung erfordert viel Fingerspitzengefühl. (This negotiation calls for a lot of tact.)
3 Which fingerprint chart matches Fingerspitzengefühl?
Fingerspitzengefühl: neutral register, academic frequency, general domain, neutral connotation.
Last updated