In 15 Seconds
- Actively showing empathy or patience in a difficult situation.
- Used with 'für' to show you understand someone's struggle.
- Common in both professional apologies and personal heart-to-hearts.
Meaning
This phrase describes the active effort of showing empathy or patience toward someone's situation. It's like reaching deep inside to find the 'good vibes' needed to tolerate or accept a difficult circumstance.
Key Examples
3 of 6Public announcement at a train station
Bitte bringen Sie Verständnis für die Verspätung auf.
Please show understanding for the delay.
Texting a friend who is late
Kein Problem, ich kann für deine Situation absolut Verständnis aufbringen.
No problem, I can totally show understanding for your situation.
In a business meeting regarding a missed deadline
Wir müssen für die Verzögerungen beim Kunden Verständnis aufbringen.
We need to show understanding for the customer's delays.
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Sachlichkeit'. This phrase allows for empathy without losing objectivity.
Focus on the effort
Remember that 'aufbringen' implies work.
In 15 Seconds
- Actively showing empathy or patience in a difficult situation.
- Used with 'für' to show you understand someone's struggle.
- Common in both professional apologies and personal heart-to-hearts.
What It Means
Imagine a friend cancels on you for the third time. You might be annoyed, but then they explain they’ve been working 60-hour weeks. When you decide to be cool about it, you are Verständnis aufbringen. It’s not just 'understanding' a fact. It is the act of summoning empathy. You are 'bringing up' (aufbringen) that feeling from within yourself. It implies a bit of effort is involved.
How To Use It
You usually use this with the preposition für. The structure is: Verständnis für [jemanden/etwas] aufbringen. It sounds a bit more sophisticated than just saying verstehen. It shows you are making a conscious choice to be patient. You can use it in the positive ('I have understanding') or the negative ('I have zero understanding for this').
When To Use It
This is perfect for professional emails when things go wrong. Use it when a train is delayed or a colleague misses a deadline. It’s also great for heart-to-heart talks. If your partner is stressed, you might say you want to Verständnis aufbringen. It works well in any situation where logic meets human messiness. It’s the ultimate 'I get it, and I’m not mad' phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Don’t use this for intellectual understanding. If you finally get how calculus works, don't say you 'brought up understanding' for math. That sounds like you’re forgiving the numbers for being difficult. Also, avoid it in very casual slang-heavy chats with Gen Z friends. It might sound a bit too 'adult' or stiff. Stick to Ich check's or Ich versteh' dich there.
Cultural Background
Germans are often seen as very direct and rule-oriented. Because of this, Verständnis aufbringen is a vital social lubricant. It’s the phrase that acknowledges that life doesn't always follow the rules. In German bureaucracy, if you ask a clerk to Verständnis aufbringen, you're appealing to their human side. It’s a polite way to ask for a break or a bit of mercy.
Common Variations
You will often hear Bitte bringen Sie Verständnis dafür auf, dass... in public announcements. This is the classic 'Please understand that...' used by the Deutsche Bahn. Another common one is dafür kann ich kein Verständnis aufbringen. Use that when someone does something truly ridiculous. It’s the polite way of saying 'You’ve got to be kidding me.'
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile but carries a slightly polite, distant tone. It is the standard way to ask for patience in German-speaking public life.
Focus on the effort
Remember that 'aufbringen' implies work.
Examples
6Bitte bringen Sie Verständnis für die Verspätung auf.
Please show understanding for the delay.
A classic formal announcement phrase used by transport services.
Kein Problem, ich kann für deine Situation absolut Verständnis aufbringen.
No problem, I can totally show understanding for your situation.
Shows you aren't mad about them being late.
Wir müssen für die Verzögerungen beim Kunden Verständnis aufbringen.
We need to show understanding for the customer's delays.
Encouraging a professional team to be patient.
Dafür kann ich beim besten Willen kein Verständnis aufbringen!
I cannot show any understanding for that, even with the best will!
A strong way to say someone's behavior is unacceptable.
Ich versuche, Verständnis für deine Laune aufzubringen, aber es ist schwer.
I'm trying to show understanding for your mood, but it's hard.
Expressing empathy while acknowledging the difficulty.
Ich hoffe, Sie können für diesen einmaligen Fehler Verständnis aufbringen.
I hope you can show understanding for this one-time mistake.
A polite plea for mercy in a work context.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'aufbringen'.
Ich konnte für seine Fehler kaum Verständnis ________.
The modal verb 'konnte' requires the infinitive at the end.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercisesIch konnte für seine Fehler kaum Verständnis ________.
The modal verb 'konnte' requires the infinitive at the end.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsMostly, yes.
Related Phrases
Verständnis zeigen
synonymTo show understanding
