MEINEN Meaning and
Definition
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Meinen is a German verb that can be translated in various ways depending on the context. It is derived from the noun "Meinung," which means "opinion" or "view." As a verb, "meinen" is primarily used to express opinion or to indicate what someone thinks or intends. It is often associated with expressing personal beliefs or ideas.
One way to translate "meinen" is "to mean" or "to think." When used in this sense, it signifies that someone has a specific opinion or belief about a certain subject. For example, "Ich meine, dass es eine gute Idee ist" translates to "I think it's a good idea."
Another meaning of "meinen" is "to intend" or "to have in mind." In this sense, it refers to someone's purpose or objective. For instance, "Was meinst du damit?" means "What do you mean by that?" or "What is your intention with that?"
Additionally, "meinen" can also be used to express doubt or uncertainty. Similar to the English word "guess," it indicates an assumption or an estimation. For instance, "Ich meine, dass er morgen kommen wird" translates to "I think he will come tomorrow" or "I guess he will come tomorrow."
Overall, "meinen" is a versatile German verb that encompasses the ideas of opinion, belief, intention, and assumption. Its meaning can vary depending on the context and the intended message.
Etymology of MEINEN
The word "meinen" comes from the Old High German word "meinen" which means "to think" or "to have an opinion". The Old High German "meinen" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "mainijaną", which has the same meaning. This Proto-Germanic word is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "mein-", meaning "to think" or "to consider". The word "meinen" has remained relatively unchanged in its meaning throughout its historical development.
