In 15 Seconds
- Means something is significant and influential.
- Literally 'to fall into the weight'.
- Used for important factors in decisions.
- Avoid for trivial matters; leans neutral/formal.
Meaning
This phrase means something is important or has a real impact. It's not just a suggestion; it's something that actually influences a decision or situation. Think of it as having substance, like a heavy object that can tip the scales.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a movie choice
Die Tatsache, dass der Film schon im Kino lief, fällt für mich nicht stark ins Gewicht.
The fact that the movie was already in theaters doesn't weigh heavily for me.
Job interview follow-up email
Ihre langjährige Erfahrung in der Projektleitung wird bei unserer Entscheidung sicherlich ins Gewicht fallen.
Your many years of experience in project management will certainly carry weight in our decision.
Discussing travel plans with a partner
Für mich fällt die Nähe zum Strand sehr ins Gewicht bei der Hotelwahl.
For me, the proximity to the beach carries a lot of weight when choosing a hotel.
Cultural Background
In German business culture, 'ins Gewicht fallen' is often used to maintain a neutral, objective tone during negotiations. It avoids personal blame by focusing on the 'weight' of facts. In Austria, the phrase is used similarly but might be replaced in very casual settings by 'Das macht das Kraut auch nicht fett' (That doesn't make the herb fat either), meaning it doesn't matter. Swiss German speakers use the phrase in High German contexts, especially in banking and insurance, where assessing 'materiality' is crucial. In German universities, professors use this to explain grading criteria. It helps students understand which parts of their work are most important.
Use with 'kaum'
Native speakers use 'kaum ins Gewicht fallen' much more often than the positive version. It's a great way to dismiss small problems politely.
Auxiliary Verb
Remember to use 'sein' (ist/sind) in the past tense. 'Hat gefallen' is for 'liking' something, 'ist gefallen' is for 'falling'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means something is significant and influential.
- Literally 'to fall into the weight'.
- Used for important factors in decisions.
- Avoid for trivial matters; leans neutral/formal.
What It Means
This idiom, ins Gewicht fallen, literally means 'to fall into the weight.' It's used when something has enough importance or influence to make a difference. It's not just a minor detail; it's substantial. It suggests that the item in question has heft and can tip the balance in a discussion or decision. Imagine a scale; when something fällt ins Gewicht, it's heavy enough to move the needle. It carries real consequence and isn't easily dismissed.
How To Use It
You use ins Gewicht fallen when you want to emphasize that a particular point, factor, or argument is significant. It’s often used in contexts where a decision is being made or a situation is being evaluated. You can use it to highlight why something matters. For instance, 'Your experience will ins Gewicht fallen for this job.' It signals that this isn't just a casual mention but a crucial element. It’s a sophisticated way to say 'this is important.'
Real-Life Examples
- In a budget meeting: 'The cost of the new software will definitely
ins Gewicht fallen.' This means the price is a major factor in whether they buy it. - Discussing exam results: 'The final project's grade
fällt stark ins Gewicht.' This tells you the project is a big part of the overall score, so don't slack off! - When choosing a holiday destination: 'The fact that it has direct flights
fällt für uns ins Gewicht.' This implies easy travel is a deciding factor. - In a legal context: 'The witness's testimony
fiel ins Gewicht.' This means the jury or judge took it very seriously. - Evaluating a candidate: 'Her previous leadership roles
fallen stark ins Gewicht.' This highlights her qualifications as a key reason for consideration.
When To Use It
Use ins Gewicht fallen when you want to convey that something has a significant impact or is a major consideration. It's perfect for formal discussions, professional settings, or when you need to sound persuasive. Think about situations where you're weighing options or explaining the importance of a factor. It’s excellent for making a point stick. Use it when you want to add a touch of gravitas to your statement. It's also great for summarizing why a particular outcome occurred. Did your cat's adorable meows ins Gewicht fallen when you decided to share your pizza? Probably!
When NOT To Use It
Avoid ins Gewicht fallen for trivial matters or everyday, minor details. If you're talking about something that has no real consequence, like the color of a pen you used, this phrase is overkill. It’s also not ideal for very casual, lighthearted chats where simpler language is better. Don't use it if you're just stating a simple fact without emphasizing its importance. For example, 'The sky is blue' doesn't ins Gewicht fallen for much, unless you're a meteorologist discussing atmospheric conditions, maybe?
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up ins Gewicht fallen with similar-sounding but incorrect phrases. They might try to use in das Gewicht fallen or simply fallen Gewicht, which don't exist or change the meaning. Another common error is using it for things that are literally heavy, rather than figuratively significant. You wouldn't say 'The anvil fällt ins Gewicht' unless you meant its significance in a play about blacksmiths. The key is figurative weight, not physical.
- ✗
Die Kosten fallen in das Gewicht.→ ✓Die Kosten fallen ins Gewicht. - ✗
Das Argument fiel Gewicht.→ ✓Das Argument fiel ins Gewicht. - ✗
Seine Meinung fällt nicht ins Gewicht.(Used when it *should* fall into weight, but the negative is correct)
Similar Expressions
eine Rolle spielen: To play a role. This is very similar but slightly less emphatic thanins Gewicht fallen. It means something is a factor, but not necessarily a deciding one.von Bedeutung sein: To be of importance. This is a more direct and less idiomatic way to say something is significant.einen Einfluss haben: To have an influence. This focuses more on the effect something has rather than its inherent significance.zählen: To count. This is a simpler, often more informal way to say something is important.
Common Variations
stark ins Gewicht fallen: To weigh heavily; to be very significant. This adds emphasis.nicht ins Gewicht fallen: To not matter; to be insignificant. The opposite meaning, equally useful.etwas fällt ins Gewicht: The structure is usually[Subject] fällt ins Gewicht. The subject is what carries the weight.für jemanden ins Gewicht fallen: To matter *to someone*. This specifies who is affected by the significance.
Memory Trick
Picture a giant, invisible scale. When something fällt ins Gewicht, it literally drops onto one side of the scale, making it heavier and tipping the balance. The heavier the item (the more important the factor), the more it fällt ins Gewicht and changes the outcome. Think of a feather versus a bowling ball – the bowling ball really fällt ins Gewicht!
Quick FAQ
- Is
ins Gewicht fallenformal or informal? It leans towards formal or neutral. You wouldn't typically use it in a super casual text to a friend unless you're being a bit dramatic or funny. - Can I use it for abstract things? Absolutely! Ideas, arguments, feelings, and factors can all
ins Gewicht fallen. - What's the opposite?
Nicht ins Gewicht fallenmeans to be insignificant or to not matter. - Does it always imply a positive weight? Not necessarily. Something negative can also
ins Gewicht fallen, meaning it's a significant problem or drawback. - Can I use it in a sentence like 'The weight falls into me'? No, that's a literal translation error. Remember, it's figurative weight!
Usage Notes
This phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for professional settings, discussions, or writing where significance needs to be emphasized. Avoid using it for trivial matters, as it can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Remember the core meaning is about influence and importance, not literal physical weight.
Use with 'kaum'
Native speakers use 'kaum ins Gewicht fallen' much more often than the positive version. It's a great way to dismiss small problems politely.
Auxiliary Verb
Remember to use 'sein' (ist/sind) in the past tense. 'Hat gefallen' is for 'liking' something, 'ist gefallen' is for 'falling'.
Job Interviews
This is a 'power phrase' for interviews. Use it to highlight your strengths: 'Meine Erfahrung in Projektmanagement fällt hier sicher ins Gewicht.'
Examples
12Die Tatsache, dass der Film schon im Kino lief, fällt für mich nicht stark ins Gewicht.
The fact that the movie was already in theaters doesn't weigh heavily for me.
Here, 'nicht stark ins Gewicht fallen' emphasizes that a specific detail is not a major factor in their decision.
Ihre langjährige Erfahrung in der Projektleitung wird bei unserer Entscheidung sicherlich ins Gewicht fallen.
Your many years of experience in project management will certainly carry weight in our decision.
This highlights a key qualification that will significantly influence the hiring decision.
Für mich fällt die Nähe zum Strand sehr ins Gewicht bei der Hotelwahl.
For me, the proximity to the beach carries a lot of weight when choosing a hotel.
Emphasizes that the beach's location is a crucial factor in their hotel selection.
Manchmal muss man Entscheidungen treffen, bei denen jedes Detail ins Gewicht fällt. ⚖️
Sometimes you have to make decisions where every detail carries weight. ⚖️
Using the idiom with an emoji adds a touch of drama and emphasizes the seriousness of the decision.
Wenn wir die Zeit bedenken, fällt Michaels Beitrag ins Gewicht. Ohne ihn wären wir nicht fertig geworden.
Considering the time, Michael's contribution carries weight. We wouldn't have finished without him.
Highlights the significance of Michael's contribution due to time constraints.
Die steigenden Rohstoffpreise werden bei der Kalkulation des Endprodukts erheblich ins Gewicht fallen.
The rising raw material prices will significantly weigh into the calculation of the final product.
A formal way to state that price increases are a major factor in product costing.
✗ Die Meinungen der anderen fall ins Gewicht. → ✓ Die Meinungen der anderen fallen ins Gewicht.
✗ The opinions of others fall into weight. → ✓ The opinions of others carry weight.
Incorrect verb conjugation for the plural subject 'Meinungen'.
✗ Sein Rat fiel in die Gewicht. → ✓ Sein Rat fiel ins Gewicht.
✗ His advice fell into the weight. → ✓ His advice carried weight.
The preposition 'in die' is incorrect; the correct idiom uses 'ins' (in das).
Wenn mein Hund mich mit seinen großen Augen anschaut, fällt das doch immer ins Gewicht, oder?
When my dog looks at me with his big eyes, that always carries weight, right?
A lighthearted use, implying the dog's cuteness influences the owner's actions.
Dass ich die Prüfung nicht bestanden habe, fällt mir schwer ins Gewicht.
The fact that I didn't pass the exam weighs heavily on me.
Shows emotional significance; the failure is a substantial burden.
Der hohe Preis fällt bei diesem Gerät stark ins Gewicht, aber die Leistung ist top.
The high price weighs heavily for this device, but the performance is top-notch.
Balances a negative factor (price) against a positive one (performance).
Die Meinung der Wähler wird bei der nächsten Wahl sicher ins Gewicht fallen.
The voters' opinion will certainly carry weight in the next election.
Highlights the importance of public opinion in a political context.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'ins Gewicht fallen'.
Die kleinen Verspätungen ______ bei der Bewertung kaum ______.
The subject 'Verspätungen' is plural, so we need 'fallen'.
Welcher Satz ist grammatikalisch korrekt?
Gestern...
The Perfekt of 'fallen' uses 'sein' and the past participle is 'gefallen'.
In welcher Situation passt 'ins Gewicht fallen' am besten?
Wählen Sie die passende Situation:
Situation B involves evaluating the impact of a factor (costs) on a whole (budget).
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: 'Ist es schlimm, dass ich kein Englisch kann?' B: 'In diesem Job ______ das leider ______.'
In a professional context, 'fällt stark ins Gewicht' is the most precise way to say it's a major negative factor.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Weight Metaphors
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDie kleinen Verspätungen ______ bei der Bewertung kaum ______.
The subject 'Verspätungen' is plural, so we need 'fallen'.
Gestern...
The Perfekt of 'fallen' uses 'sein' and the past participle is 'gefallen'.
Wählen Sie die passende Situation:
Situation B involves evaluating the impact of a factor (costs) on a whole (budget).
A: 'Ist es schlimm, dass ich kein Englisch kann?' B: 'In diesem Job ______ das leider ______.'
In a professional context, 'fällt stark ins Gewicht' is the most precise way to say it's a major negative factor.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot really. You wouldn't say 'Dieser Mann fällt ins Gewicht' unless you mean his physical weight. Use 'Er ist ein einflussreicher Mann' instead.
It is always 'ins' (in das). It implies the factor is 'falling into' the calculation.
You can say 'nicht ins Gewicht fallen' or 'unbedeutend sein'.
Yes, it is formal to neutral. It's perfect for work, but maybe a bit much for a party.
Yes! 'Stark', 'schwer', and 'maßgeblich' are all common adverbs to use with this phrase.
No, it can be positive (like a skill) or negative (like a mistake). It just means 'significant'.
No, 'fallen' is an intransitive verb and cannot be used in the passive.
You can say 'Das fällt überhaupt nicht ins Gewicht.'
Very often! It's a favorite of journalists writing about economics and politics.
'Wichtig sein' is general. 'Ins Gewicht fallen' implies that there are many factors and this one specifically changes the balance.
Related Phrases
den Ausschlag geben
similarTo be the deciding factor.
zu Buche schlagen
specialized formTo have a significant financial impact.
eine Rolle spielen
synonymTo play a role / to be important.
von Bedeutung sein
synonymTo be of significance.
vernachlässigbar sein
contrastTo be negligible.