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A2 noun #3,000 most common 14 min read

Konflikt

Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips Konflikt in 30 Seconds

Explanation Konflikt in your Level:

At the A1 beginner level, you might not use the word 'Konflikt' very often, as you are mostly focusing on basic greetings, ordering food, and introducing yourself. However, it is a great word to learn early on because it looks and sounds almost exactly like the English word 'conflict'. This makes it very easy to remember! You should know that it is a noun, and in German, all nouns are capitalized. The gender is masculine, so it is 'der Konflikt'. If you want to say 'the conflict is bad', you would say 'Der Konflikt ist schlecht'. At this stage, just focus on recognizing the word when you read it in simple news headlines or hear it in basic conversations. You do not need to worry about complex grammar rules yet. Just knowing that 'der Konflikt' means 'conflict' or 'problem' is a fantastic start for your German journey.

At the A2 level, you are starting to form more complex sentences and talk about everyday situations. You will find 'Konflikt' very useful when describing problems at work, with friends, or in a story you are reading. You should now practice using it with basic verbs. For example, 'Wir haben einen Konflikt' (We have a conflict). Notice that because you are using the verb 'haben' (to have), the word becomes the direct object, so 'der' changes to 'einen' (accusative case). You should also learn the plural form: 'die Konflikte'. If you want to say 'There are many conflicts', you say 'Es gibt viele Konflikte'. Try to use this word instead of always saying 'Problem'. It makes your German sound much more advanced and precise. A good phrase to memorize at this level is 'einen Konflikt lösen' (to solve a conflict).

At the B1 intermediate level, 'Konflikt' becomes a core part of your active vocabulary. You are now expected to discuss opinions, express agreement or disagreement, and talk about current events. You will frequently encounter this word in news articles and podcasts. You need to be comfortable using it with prepositions. For example, 'ein Konflikt zwischen zwei Ländern' (a conflict between two countries) or 'Ich bin in einem Konflikt' (I am in a conflict). Pay close attention to the dative case here: 'in einem Konflikt'. You should also start recognizing compound nouns that use this word, such as 'Konfliktlösung' (conflict resolution) or 'Interessenkonflikt' (conflict of interest). Being able to discuss how to manage or avoid a conflict will greatly improve your conversational skills and help you pass B1 speaking exams, where discussing social issues is very common.

At the B2 upper-intermediate level, your use of 'Konflikt' should be highly nuanced. You are not just stating that a conflict exists; you are analyzing its causes, consequences, and solutions. You should be comfortable using advanced adjectives with it, such as 'ein unlösbarer Konflikt' (an unsolvable conflict) or 'ein schwelender Konflikt' (a smoldering conflict). You must absolutely master the genitive case with this word: 'die Ursache des Konflikts' (the cause of the conflict). Furthermore, you should distinguish it perfectly from synonyms like 'Streit' or 'Auseinandersetzung'. In a professional environment, you should be able to write emails or reports discussing 'Konfliktmanagement' (conflict management) and use sophisticated verbs like 'einen Konflikt beilegen' (to settle a conflict) or 'einen Konflikt schüren' (to fuel a conflict). Your vocabulary around this concept should be broad and precise.

At the C1 advanced level, you are expected to handle the word 'Konflikt' with near-native fluency in complex academic, professional, and abstract contexts. You will encounter and use it in discussions about geopolitics, psychology, and sociology. You must effortlessly employ related terminology, such as 'konfliktscheu' (conflict-avoidant) or 'konfliktfähig' (able to handle conflict). You should be comfortable discussing 'innergesellschaftliche Konflikte' (internal societal conflicts) or 'asymmetrische Konflikte' (asymmetric conflicts). Your grammar must be flawless, especially regarding complex prepositional phrases and passive constructions involving the word, for example: 'Der Konflikt konnte durch diplomatische Intervention rechtzeitig eingedämmt werden' (The conflict could be contained in time through diplomatic intervention). At this level, it is less about learning the word itself and more about mastering the sophisticated collocations and idiomatic expressions that surround it in high-level discourse.

At the C2 mastery level, your understanding and usage of 'Konflikt' are indistinguishable from an educated native speaker. You grasp the subtle cultural connotations of how conflict is perceived and handled in German-speaking societies compared to your own. You can seamlessly integrate the word into highly rhetorical, literary, or deeply philosophical arguments. You are familiar with historical references and idioms involving conflicts. You can play with the word dynamically, inventing compound nouns on the fly if necessary, and you intuitively know which synonym to choose to achieve a specific rhetorical effect. Whether analyzing the 'dramaturgischer Konflikt' in a Goethe play or writing a legal brief on a 'Zuständigkeitskonflikt' (conflict of jurisdiction), your command of the word and its entire lexical family is absolute, precise, and effortlessly elegant.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

Konflikt in 30 Seconds

Means 'conflict' or 'dispute'.
Used for arguments, wars, or inner struggles.
Masculine noun: der Konflikt.
Often paired with 'lösen' (to solve).

The German noun der Konflikt translates directly to the English word conflict, and it is used in almost exactly the same ways. It originates from the Latin word conflictus, meaning a striking together or a contest. In everyday German, you will hear this word used to describe everything from a minor disagreement between friends to major international wars. Understanding how to use Konflikt is essential for navigating both personal relationships and professional environments in German-speaking countries. When people use this word, they are usually referring to a situation where two or more parties have incompatible goals, desires, or opinions. It is a highly versatile word that belongs in the vocabulary of any serious learner.

Interpersonal Disputes: This is perhaps the most common everyday usage. Whether it is a fight with a spouse, a disagreement with a neighbor over a fence, or a clash of personalities at work, it is called a Konflikt. Germans value direct communication, so addressing a Konflikt is often seen as a necessary step to resolving it.
Internal Struggles: Just like in English, you can have an inner conflict, known as an innerer Konflikt. This describes a psychological state where a person is torn between two choices, values, or emotions. It is frequently used in literature, psychology, and deep conversations.
Global and Political Clashes: In the news, you will constantly hear about politische Konflikte (political conflicts) or bewaffnete Konflikte (armed conflicts). In this context, the word carries a heavy, serious weight and is synonymous with war, rebellion, or intense diplomatic standoffs.

To truly master this word, it helps to see it in action. Let us look at a typical sentence you might encounter in a workplace setting.

Wir müssen diesen Konflikt heute noch lösen, bevor er eskaliert.

We need to resolve this conflict today before it escalates.

Notice how the verb lösen (to solve/resolve) is paired with the word. This is one of the most common collocations you will find. Another frequent verb is vermeiden (to avoid). Some people try to avoid disagreements at all costs, which is known as being konfliktscheu (conflict-avoidant). This adjective is a great addition to your vocabulary.

Sie ist sehr konfliktscheu und geht jedem Konflikt aus dem Weg.

She is very conflict-avoidant and dodges every conflict.

In professional environments, you might also hear the term Konfliktmanagement. Just as in the English-speaking corporate world, German companies place a high value on the ability to manage and defuse tense situations. If you are applying for a job in Germany, mentioning your skills in Konfliktlösung (conflict resolution) is a massive plus. Furthermore, the way Germans handle these situations might differ from what you are used to. While some cultures prefer to brush things under the rug, German workplace culture often encourages bringing the issue to the table directly. This directness can sometimes feel harsh to foreigners, but it is generally intended to clear the air quickly and efficiently.

Ein offener Konflikt ist oft besser als ein versteckter.

An open conflict is often better than a hidden one.

Finally, let us consider the emotional weight of the word. While a Streit (argument) can be a brief, heated exchange, a Konflikt implies something deeper and potentially more long-lasting. A disagreement over what to eat for dinner is a Streit; a fundamental disagreement about how to raise children is a Konflikt. By choosing the right word, you convey the appropriate level of seriousness to your listener.

Using Konflikt correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of German case structures, specifically how the noun interacts with prepositions, adjectives, and verbs. Because it is a masculine noun (der Konflikt), its articles and adjective endings will change depending on its role in the sentence (nominative, accusative, dative, or genitive). Mastering these patterns will make your German sound much more natural and fluent. Let us break down the most common grammatical structures and sentence patterns associated with this word.

As the Subject (Nominative): When the conflict is the thing doing the action or being described, it is in the nominative case. For example: Der Konflikt eskaliert. (The conflict is escalating.) Here, the word takes the standard masculine definite article der.
As the Direct Object (Accusative): When someone is acting upon the conflict—such as starting it, avoiding it, or resolving it—it becomes the direct object. For example: Wir müssen den Konflikt lösen. (We must resolve the conflict.) Notice how der changes to den.
Following Prepositions (Dative & Accusative): Prepositions dictate the case. If you are in a conflict (static state), you use the dative: Sie stecken in einem Konflikt. (They are stuck in a conflict.) If you are getting into a conflict (movement/change of state), you use the accusative: Er gerät oft in Konflikte. (He often gets into conflicts.)

Let us look at some practical sentence examples to solidify these rules. Pay close attention to the highlighted words and the surrounding grammar.

Es gibt einen schweren Konflikt zwischen den beiden Abteilungen.

There is a severe conflict between the two departments.

In the sentence above, es gibt (there is/there are) always requires the accusative case. Therefore, the indefinite article ein becomes einen, and the adjective schwer gets the accusative masculine ending -en, resulting in einen schweren Konflikt. This is a very common way to introduce the existence of a problem.

Die Ursache des Konflikts ist unklar.

The cause of the conflict is unclear.

Here we see the genitive case in action. To say 'of the conflict', we use the genitive article des and add an -s to the end of the noun, making it des Konflikts. While spoken German sometimes replaces the genitive with von dem Konflikt (dative), using the genitive sounds much more educated and is standard in written German.

When speaking about multiple disputes, you will need the plural form: die Konflikte. The plural is quite straightforward; you simply add an -e to the end of the word. The plural article is always die in the nominative and accusative cases.

Internationale Konflikte dominieren die Nachrichten.

International conflicts dominate the news.

Wir müssen lernen, mit solchen Konflikten umzugehen.

We must learn to deal with such conflicts.

The word Konflikt is ubiquitous in the German language. You will encounter it in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from casual conversations to highly formal academic texts. Because it is a direct cognate of the English word 'conflict', its applications are very intuitive for English speakers. However, understanding the specific environments where this word thrives will help you use it more naturally and comprehend native speakers more effectively. Let us explore the primary domains where you will actually hear and read this word on a daily basis.

News and Media: If you turn on the Tagesschau (Germany's premier television news program) or read Der Spiegel, you will see this word constantly. Journalists use it to describe wars (bewaffnete Konflikte), political standoffs (politische Konflikte), and social unrest (soziale Konflikte). It is the standard, objective term used in journalism to describe large-scale disagreements without necessarily assigning blame to one side.
The Workplace: In the corporate world, this word is a staple of HR (Human Resources) terminology. You will hear about Konfliktmanagement (conflict management) in training seminars. If two colleagues cannot get along, a manager might intervene to resolve the Konflikt am Arbeitsplatz (conflict in the workplace). It is viewed as a professional, neutral term, much better than saying people are just 'fighting' (streiten).
Psychology and Literature: When analyzing a book in a German school, students discuss the Konflikt of the protagonist. Similarly, therapists talk about an innerer Konflikt (internal conflict) when a patient is struggling with opposing desires or moral dilemmas. It is a word that carries deep emotional and intellectual weight in these fields.

Let us look at a few examples of how you might hear this word in these specific contexts.

Der Konflikt im Nahen Osten war heute das Hauptthema der Nachrichten.

The conflict in the Middle East was the main topic of the news today.

In the sentence above, the word is used in a geopolitical sense. This is a very formal, standard usage. Now, compare that to a sentence you might hear in a modern office environment.

Wir bieten nächste Woche ein Seminar zum Thema Konfliktlösung an.

We are offering a seminar on the topic of conflict resolution next week.

In everyday life, you might also hear people talk about a Generationskonflikt (generational conflict). This refers to the classic misunderstandings and differing values between older and younger generations, such as Boomers and Gen Z. It is a very common topic of discussion in German talk shows and family dinner tables alike.

Der Generationskonflikt zeigt sich besonders beim Thema Klimaschutz.

The generational conflict is particularly evident on the topic of climate protection.

Even though Konflikt is a cognate that looks and sounds very similar to its English counterpart, learners still stumble over a few common pitfalls. These mistakes usually involve gender, case endings, pluralization, or slight nuances in meaning compared to English. By being aware of these frequent errors, you can actively avoid them and sound much more like a native speaker. Let us dive into the most common mistakes English speakers make when using this word.

Mistake 1: Wrong Gender: Many learners assume that because words ending in '-t' or '-ik' are sometimes feminine (like die Politik or die Kritik), this word must be feminine too. This is incorrect. It is masculine: der Konflikt. Saying die Konflikt is a glaring error that immediately marks you as a beginner.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Dative Plural '-n': The plural is die Konflikte. However, when used in the dative case (for example, after prepositions like mit, von, aus, or in when indicating a static location), German grammar requires adding an extra '-n' to plural nouns that do not already end in '-n' or '-s'. Therefore, you must say mit den Konflikten, not mit den Konflikte.
Mistake 3: Confusing it with 'Streit': While they are synonyms, they are not always interchangeable. A Streit is usually a loud, verbal argument or a petty fight. A Konflikt is a deeper, more fundamental clash of interests or values. If two kids are fighting over a toy, it is a Streit. If two nations are fighting over a border, it is a Konflikt. Using the wrong one can make your sentence sound unintentionally funny or overly dramatic.

Let us look at some examples of these mistakes corrected.

❌ Falsch: Wir haben eine Konflikt.
✅ Richtig: Wir haben einen Konflikt.

Because it is masculine, it must be 'einen' in the accusative case.

❌ Falsch: Sie beschäftigt sich mit vielen Konflikte.
✅ Richtig: Sie beschäftigt sich mit vielen Konflikten.

The preposition 'mit' takes the dative. The dative plural requires the extra '-n' at the end of the noun.

Another subtle mistake is using the wrong verbs. In English, you might say you are 'having a conflict'. In German, while einen Konflikt haben is perfectly understood and used, it is often more elegant to say sich in einem Konflikt befinden (to find oneself in a conflict) or in einen Konflikt geraten (to get into a conflict) for more formal or descriptive situations. Relying too heavily on the verb haben (to have) is a classic hallmark of intermediate learners who are translating directly from English rather than thinking in German phrasing.

Die beiden Parteien gerieten in einen schweren Konflikt.

The two parties got into a severe conflict. (Better than just saying they 'had' one).

While Konflikt is an excellent and highly useful word, it is not the only way to express disagreement, strife, or clashes in German. Depending on the exact nature of the situation—whether it is a minor squabble, a physical fight, or a fundamental difference of opinion—different words might be more appropriate. Expanding your vocabulary with these synonyms and related terms will allow you to express yourself with much greater precision and nuance.

Der Streit (Argument / Fight): This is the most common alternative for everyday use. A Streit is usually verbal and often emotional. If you bicker with your sibling or have a shouting match with a driver who cut you off, that is a Streit. It is less formal and less systemic than a Konflikt.
Die Auseinandersetzung (Dispute / Altercation): This is a slightly more formal word. Literally, it means 'setting apart'. It can refer to a heated argument, but it can also simply mean an intense, critical examination of a topic (e.g., eine intellektuelle Auseinandersetzung). It is a great word for academic or professional contexts.
Die Meinungsverschiedenheit (Difference of Opinion): If you want to downplay a conflict and make it sound very polite and civilized, use this word. It literally translates to 'difference of opinion'. It implies that two people disagree, but they are not necessarily angry at each other. It is perfect for diplomatic business emails.

Let us look at how these alternatives function in sentences compared to our main word.

Nach einem kurzen Streit war der Konflikt beendet.

After a brief argument, the conflict was over.

In this sentence, the Streit (the active arguing) is a symptom or an event within the broader Konflikt (the underlying issue). This distinction is very helpful for advanced fluency.

Wir hatten lediglich eine kleine Meinungsverschiedenheit, keinen echten Konflikt.

We merely had a small difference of opinion, not a real conflict.

For political or military contexts, you might also encounter the word die Krise (crisis). While a crisis is not exactly the same as a conflict, they often go hand-in-hand. A political conflict can easily trigger an economic crisis. Another related term is die Spannung (tension). Before a full-blown dispute erupts, there are usually Spannungen (tensions) between the parties.

Die diplomatischen Spannungen führten schließlich zu einem offenen Konflikt.

The diplomatic tensions eventually led to an open conflict.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Because it is a Latin loanword, it exists in almost identical forms across many European languages (conflict, conflit, conflicto, conflitto), making it a true 'internationalism'. If you know it in English, you know it in German!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɔnˈflɪkt/

US /kɔnˈflɪkt/

kon-FLIKT

Rhymes With

Strikt tickt blickt schickt nickt strickt klickt fickt

Common Errors

Swallowing the final 't' (saying 'Konflik').
Stressing the first syllable instead of the second ('KON-flikt' is wrong).
Pronouncing the 'o' too long (like 'Kohn-flikt').
Softening the 'k' sounds to 'g' sounds.
Applying an English 'r' sound if misreading the word.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Extremely easy to read because it is a direct cognate to English. The spelling is highly intuitive.

Writing 2/5

Easy to spell, but remembering the correct gender (der) and applying case endings (den, dem, des) requires practice.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but ensuring the 'k's and 't' are crisp is necessary for a good accent.

Listening 1/5

Easily recognizable in spoken German due to its similarity to English.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

das Problem der Streit lösen schlecht sprechen

Learn Next

die Lösung der Kompromiss vermeiden die Auseinandersetzung die Spannung

Advanced

die Eskalation die Mediation schwelend unüberbrückbar der Konsens

Grammar to Know

Masculine Noun Declension

Nominative: der Konflikt, Accusative: den Konflikt, Dative: dem Konflikt, Genitive: des Konflikts.

Dative Plural N-Ending

mit den Konflikten (An extra 'n' is added to the plural form 'Konflikte' in the dative case).

Prepositions with Accusative/Dative (Wechselpräpositionen)

in einen Konflikt geraten (Accusative - movement/change) vs. in einem Konflikt stecken (Dative - static state).

Compound Noun Gender

die Lösung + der Konflikt = die Konfliktlösung (Feminine, because the last word 'Lösung' is feminine).

Genitive Attribute

die Ursache des Konflikts (The cause OF the conflict. The noun gets an 's' at the end).

Examples by Level

Der Konflikt ist groß.

The conflict is big.

Nominative case, simple sentence structure.

Ich sehe den Konflikt.

I see the conflict.

Accusative case after the verb 'sehen'.

Wir haben einen Konflikt.

We have a conflict.

Accusative case with indefinite article 'einen'.

Das ist ein Konflikt.

That is a conflict.

Nominative case with the verb 'sein'.

Die Konflikte sind schlecht.

The conflicts are bad.

Plural form 'die Konflikte' in nominative.

Er mag keinen Konflikt.

He does not like conflict.

Negation with 'keinen' in accusative.

Wo ist der Konflikt?

Where is the conflict?

Question word order, nominative case.

Ein Konflikt ist nicht gut.

A conflict is not good.

Simple negation with 'nicht'.

Wir müssen den Konflikt schnell lösen.

We must solve the conflict quickly.

Modal verb 'müssen' with infinitive 'lösen' at the end.

Gibt es hier einen Konflikt?

Is there a conflict here?

Use of 'gibt es' which requires the accusative case.

Sie sprechen über den Konflikt.

They are talking about the conflict.

Preposition 'über' takes the accusative here.

Der Konflikt zwischen den Nachbarn ist laut.

The conflict between the neighbors is loud.

Preposition 'zwischen' with dative plural 'den Nachbarn'.

Ich möchte diesen Konflikt vermeiden.

I want to avoid this conflict.

Demonstrative pronoun 'diesen' in accusative.

Ihre Konflikte machen mich müde.

Your conflicts make me tired.

Possessive pronoun 'Ihre' in plural nominative.

Er hat Angst vor dem Konflikt.

He is afraid of the conflict.

Preposition 'vor' taking the dative case 'dem'.

Das war ein sehr dummer Konflikt.

That was a very stupid conflict.

Past tense 'war' with an adjective in nominative.

Die Lösung des Konflikts dauerte mehrere Stunden.

The resolution of the conflict took several hours.

Genitive case 'des Konflikts'.

Wir sollten versuchen, friedlich mit dem Konflikt umzugehen.

We should try to deal with the conflict peacefully.

Infinitive clause with 'zu' and separable verb 'umzugehen'.

Ein ungelöster Konflikt kann am Arbeitsplatz viel Stress verursachen.

An unresolved conflict can cause a lot of stress in the workplace.

Adjective ending 'ungelöster' for masculine nominative.

Sie ist sehr konfliktscheu und sagt nie ihre wahre Meinung.

She is very conflict-avoidant and never says her true opinion.

Use of the compound adjective 'konfliktscheu'.

Trotz des Konflikts arbeiten sie weiterhin zusammen.

Despite the conflict, they continue to work together.

Preposition 'trotz' requiring the genitive case.

Es ist wichtig, dass wir diesen Konflikt offen ansprechen.

It is important that we address this conflict openly.

Subordinate clause with 'dass', verb at the end.

Der politische Konflikt hat zu wirtschaftlichen Problemen geführt.

The political conflict has led to economic problems.

Perfect tense with 'hat geführt'.

Wenn es einen Konflikt gibt, rufen Sie bitte den Manager.

If there is a conflict, please call the manager.

Conditional clause with 'wenn'.

Die Eskalation des Konflikts hätte durch bessere Kommunikation vermieden werden können.

The escalation of the conflict could have been avoided through better communication.

Past subjunctive passive with modal verb (hätte vermieden werden können).

Mediation ist ein bewährtes Mittel zur Beilegung innerbetrieblicher Konflikte.

Mediation is a proven means for settling internal company conflicts.

Genitive plural 'innerbetrieblicher Konflikte' without an article.

Er befindet sich in einem ständigen inneren Konflikt zwischen Pflicht und Neigung.

He finds himself in a constant inner conflict between duty and inclination.

Reflexive verb 'sich befinden' with dative prepositional phrase.

Dieser scheinbar unbedeutende Vorfall barg erhebliches Konfliktpotenzial.

This seemingly insignificant incident harbored considerable potential for conflict.

Simple past tense 'barg' and use of compound noun 'Konfliktpotenzial'.

Die Tarifverhandlungen scheiterten aufgrund unüberbrückbarer Konflikte.

The collective bargaining failed due to irreconcilable conflicts.

Preposition 'aufgrund' taking the genitive or dative (here dative plural).

Um den Konflikt zu entschärfen, bot die Regierung Kompromisse an.

In order to defuse the conflict, the government offered compromises.

'Um... zu' infinitive construction expressing purpose.

Ein offener Umgang mit Konflikten zeugt von einer gesunden Unternehmenskultur.

An open approach to conflicts testifies to a healthy corporate culture.

Dative plural 'mit Konflikten' (note the extra -n).

Die beiden Parteien tragen ihren Konflikt nun vor Gericht aus.

The two parties are now settling their conflict in court.

Separable verb 'austragen' used in a formal context.

Der schwelende Konflikt entlud sich schließlich in einem landesweiten Generalstreik.

The smoldering conflict finally discharged itself in a nationwide general strike.

Advanced vocabulary 'schwelend' and reflexive verb 'sich entladen'.

Es bedarf eines hohen Maßes an Empathie, um derart verhärtete Konflikte aufzubrechen.

It requires a high degree of empathy to break open such hardened conflicts.

Verb 'bedürfen' taking the genitive case 'eines hohen Maßes'.

Die Asymmetrie des Konflikts erschwert eine diplomatische Lösungsfindung immens.

The asymmetry of the conflict immensely complicates finding a diplomatic solution.

Abstract noun 'Asymmetrie' and sophisticated sentence structure.

In der Soziologie wird der Konflikt oft als Motor des gesellschaftlichen Wandels betrachtet.

In sociology, conflict is often viewed as the engine of societal change.

Passive voice 'wird betrachtet' in an academic context.

Seine Weigerung, Kompromisse einzugehen, hat den Konflikt unnötig in die Länge gezogen.

His refusal to compromise has unnecessarily prolonged the conflict.

Infinitive clause as a noun modifier 'Weigerung, ... einzugehen'.

Die Konfliktlinien verlaufen in dieser Debatte nicht zwingend entlang der Parteigrenzen.

The lines of conflict in this debate do not necessarily run along party lines.

Use of compound 'Konfliktlinien' and figurative language.

Ein konstruktiver Konfliktaustrag setzt die Anerkennung des Gegenübers voraus.

A constructive resolution of conflict requires the recognition of the counterpart.

Separable verb 'voraussetzen' with abstract nouns.

Der Roman thematisiert den unauflösbaren Konflikt zwischen individueller Freiheit und staatlicher Kontrolle.

The novel addresses the unresolvable conflict between individual freedom and state control.

Academic verb 'thematisieren' and complex prepositional phrase.

Die Genese dieses geopolitischen Konflikts lässt sich bis in das späte 19. Jahrhundert zurückverfolgen.

The genesis of this geopolitical conflict can be traced back to the late 19th century.

Highly formal vocabulary 'Genese' and reflexive passive 'lässt sich zurückverfolgen'.

Anstatt den Konflikt zu eskalieren, bediente er sich einer deeskalierenden Rhetorik, die seinem Kontrahenten den Wind aus den Segeln nahm.

Instead of escalating the conflict, he employed de-escalating rhetoric that took the wind out of his opponent's sails.

'Anstatt... zu' construction and idiomatic expression.

Der inhärente Konflikt der menschlichen Natur, changierend zwischen Altruismus und Egoismus, bildet das Leitmotiv seines philosophischen Werks.

The inherent conflict of human nature, alternating between altruism and egoism, forms the leitmotif of his philosophical work.

Participle construction 'changierend' used as an adjective phrase.

Es zeugt von politischer Kurzsichtigkeit, derart multidimensionale Konflikte auf bloße Schwarz-Weiß-Schemata reduzieren zu wollen.

It testifies to political shortsightedness to want to reduce such multidimensional conflicts to mere black-and-white schemas.

Subject clause starting with 'Es zeugt von...' and complex infinitive clause.

Die juristische Aufarbeitung des Konflikts scheiterte an der unzureichenden Beweislage sowie an Verjährungsfristen.

The legal processing of the conflict failed due to insufficient evidence as well as statutes of limitations.

Formal legal terminology 'juristische Aufarbeitung' and 'Verjährungsfristen'.

Inmitten des eskalierenden Konflikts bewahrte sie eine stoische Ruhe, die ihre Widersacher zutiefst irritierte.

Amidst the escalating conflict, she maintained a stoic calm that deeply irritated her adversaries.

Genitive preposition 'inmitten' and relative clause.

Der Autor dekonstruiert den klassischen dramaturgischen Konflikt und entwirft stattdessen ein postdramatisches Tableau der Sprachlosigkeit.

The author deconstructs the classical dramaturgical conflict and instead designs a postdramatic tableau of speechlessness.

Literary criticism vocabulary 'dekonstruiert', 'Tableau'.

Die Befriedung des Konflikts erwies sich als Sisyphusarbeit, da alte Wunden immer wieder aufbrachen.

The pacification of the conflict proved to be a Sisyphean task, as old wounds kept reopening.

Reflexive verb 'sich erweisen als' and mythological idiom.

Common Collocations

einen Konflikt lösen

in einen Konflikt geraten

einen Konflikt vermeiden

ein bewaffneter Konflikt

ein innerer Konflikt

ein schwelender Konflikt

Konflikte austragen

die Ursache des Konflikts

ein politischer Konflikt

Konflikte schüren

Common Phrases

Konflikte am Arbeitsplatz

— Conflicts in the workplace. Refers to professional disagreements or HR issues.

Konflikte am Arbeitsplatz sollten professionell geklärt werden.

Konflikt der Generationen

— Generation gap or generational conflict. The differing values between young and old.

Der Konflikt der Generationen ist ein ewiges Thema.

im Konflikt mit dem Gesetz

— In conflict with the law. Used when someone commits a crime or breaks rules.

Er stand schon früh im Konflikt mit dem Gesetz.

voller Konflikte

— Full of conflicts. Used to describe a tumultuous relationship, era, or situation.

Ihre Ehe war von Anfang an voller Konflikte.

einen Konflikt beilegen

— To settle a dispute. A formal way of saying a conflict was peacefully ended.

Die Diplomaten konnten den Konflikt beilegen.

Konfliktpotenzial bergen

— To harbor potential for conflict. Used for situations that might easily turn into a fight.

Dieses Thema birgt großes Konfliktpotenzial.

ein unlösbarer Konflikt

— An unsolvable conflict. A dispute where no compromise seems possible.

Es scheint ein unlösbarer Konflikt zu sein.

sich einem Konflikt stellen

— To face a conflict. To stop avoiding a problem and deal with it directly.

Du musst dich diesem Konflikt endlich stellen.

Konflikte offen ansprechen

— To address conflicts openly. A common advice in German communication culture.

Wir sollten Konflikte offen ansprechen, um sie zu lösen.

in einen Gewissenskonflikt geraten

— To face a crisis of conscience. A specific type of inner moral conflict.

Der Arzt geriet in einen schweren Gewissenskonflikt.

Often Confused With

Konflikt vs der Streit

'Streit' is usually a verbal argument or bickering. 'Konflikt' is a deeper, more systemic clash of interests.

Konflikt vs das Problem

A 'Problem' is an issue to be solved, like a math equation or a broken car. A 'Konflikt' specifically involves opposing forces or people.

Konflikt vs der Krieg

'Krieg' means war. While a 'Konflikt' can be a war (bewaffneter Konflikt), it can also just be a disagreement at work. 'Krieg' is always extreme.

Idioms & Expressions

"Öl ins Feuer gießen"

— To pour oil on the fire. To do or say something that makes a conflict worse.

Mit dieser Bemerkung hast du nur Öl ins Feuer gegossen.

Informal / Idiomatic

"die Wogen glätten"

— To smooth the waves. To calm things down after a conflict.

Der Manager versuchte, die Wogen zu glätten.

Neutral / Idiomatic

"zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen"

— To kill two birds with one stone. Sometimes used in conflict resolution when one solution fixes two problems.

Mit diesem Kompromiss schlagen wir zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe.

Neutral / Idiomatic

"ein Streit um des Kaisers Bart"

— An argument about the emperor's beard. A dispute over something completely trivial or non-existent.

Das ist doch nur ein Streit um des Kaisers Bart!

Literary / Idiomatic

"das Kriegsbeil begraben"

— To bury the hatchet. To make peace and end a long-standing conflict.

Nach zehn Jahren haben die Brüder endlich das Kriegsbeil begraben.

Informal / Idiomatic

"dicke Luft"

— Thick air. Describes the tense atmosphere during or right before a conflict.

Im Büro herrscht heute dicke Luft.

Informal / Idiomatic

"jemandem auf den Schlips treten"

— To step on someone's tie. To offend someone, often causing a conflict.

Ich wollte dir nicht auf den Schlips treten.

Informal / Idiomatic

"die Fronten verhärten sich"

— The fronts are hardening. Means that opposing sides in a conflict are becoming less willing to compromise.

In den Verhandlungen verhärten sich die Fronten.

Formal / Journalistic

"zwischen die Fronten geraten"

— To get caught in the crossfire. To be stuck in the middle of a conflict between others.

Ich bin da leider zwischen die Fronten geraten.

Neutral / Idiomatic

"reinen Tisch machen"

— To clear the table. To openly discuss all grievances and resolve a conflict completely.

Wir müssen endlich reinen Tisch machen.

Informal / Idiomatic

Easily Confused

Konflikt vs die Konkurrenz

Both start with 'Kon-' and deal with opposition.

'Konkurrenz' means competition (like businesses competing for customers). 'Konflikt' means conflict. Competition is not always a conflict.

Die Konkurrenz auf dem Markt führt nicht immer zu einem Konflikt.

Konflikt vs der Kompromiss

Both start with 'Kom/Kon' and are used in the same context.

A 'Kompromiss' is the *solution* to a 'Konflikt'. They are opposites in terms of the state of the relationship.

Der Konflikt endete mit einem guten Kompromiss.

Konflikt vs die Kritik

Both start with 'K' and end with 'k/t' sounds, and both can be negative.

'Kritik' means criticism. Giving criticism can *cause* a conflict, but it is not a conflict itself.

Seine harte Kritik führte zu einem Konflikt.

Konflikt vs der Kontakt

Similar spelling and pronunciation for English speakers.

'Kontakt' means contact. It has nothing to do with fighting or arguing.

Wir haben den Kontakt abgebrochen, um einen Konflikt zu vermeiden.

Konflikt vs konfligieren

Learners try to use it as the verb form of conflict.

While 'konfligieren' exists, it is extremely formal and rare. Germans usually say 'im Konflikt stehen' or 'sich widersprechen' instead of using this verb.

Die beiden Theorien stehen im Konflikt (better than 'konfligieren').

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + haben + einen Konflikt.

Wir haben einen Konflikt.

[Subject] + müssen + den Konflikt + [Infinitive].

Wir müssen den Konflikt lösen.

Es gibt + einen Konflikt + zwischen [Dative].

Es gibt einen Konflikt zwischen den Nachbarn.

[Subject] + versuchen + den Konflikt + zu + [Infinitive].

Ich versuche, den Konflikt zu vermeiden.

Die Ursache + des Konflikts + ist + [Adjective].

Die Ursache des Konflikts ist komplex.

[Subject] + geraten + in einen Konflikt + mit [Dative].

Er geriet in einen Konflikt mit dem Gesetz.

Anstatt den Konflikt zu [Infinitive], + [Verb] + [Subject]...

Anstatt den Konflikt zu lösen, eskalierte er ihn.

Die Beilegung + des [Adjective] + Konflikts + erfordert + [Accusative].

Die Beilegung des schwelenden Konflikts erfordert diplomatisches Geschick.

Word Family

Nouns

die Konfliktlösung (conflict resolution)

die Konfliktfähigkeit (ability to handle conflict)

das Konfliktmanagement (conflict management)

der Konfliktherd (hotspot of conflict)

der Interessenkonflikt (conflict of interest)

Verbs

konfligieren (to conflict - rare/formal)

Adjectives

konfliktscheu (conflict-avoidant)

konfliktfrei (conflict-free)

konfliktträchtig (fraught with conflict)

konfliktfähig (capable of handling conflict)

der Streit

die Krise

die Spannung

die Eskalation

die Friedensverhandlung

How to Use It

frequency

Very High. It is in the top 2000 most frequently used German words.

Common Mistakes

Die Konflikt ist schlecht. → Der Konflikt ist schlecht.
'Konflikt' is a masculine noun. You must use the masculine article 'der', not the feminine 'die'.
Wir sprechen über dem Konflikt. → Wir sprechen über den Konflikt.
The preposition 'über' (when meaning 'about') requires the accusative case. The accusative of 'der' is 'den'.
Er hat viele Konflikte gelöst mit seinen Kollegen. → Er hat viele Konflikte mit seinen Kollegen gelöst.
In the perfect tense, the past participle ('gelöst') must go to the very end of the sentence.
Sie beschäftigt sich mit den Konflikte. → Sie beschäftigt sich mit den Konflikten.
The preposition 'mit' takes the dative case. In the dative plural, nouns that don't end in -n or -s must get an extra -n. So, 'Konflikte' becomes 'Konflikten'.
Das ist ein Konflikt von Interesse. → Das ist ein Interessenkonflikt.
Translating 'conflict of interest' word-for-word is incorrect. German uses the compound noun 'Interessenkonflikt'.

Tips

Remember the Dative Plural 'n'

Whenever you use the plural 'Konflikte' with a dative preposition like 'mit' (with) or 'von' (from), you must add an 'n' to the end: 'mit den Konflikten'.

Compound Master

German loves compound words. Instead of saying 'conflict about roles', say 'Rollenkonflikt'. Instead of 'conflict between generations', say 'Generationenkonflikt'. It sounds much more native.

Crisp Consonants

Don't swallow the 't' at the end. English speakers often say 'conflic'. In German, the 'k's and the 't' must be pronounced clearly: Kon-flik-T.

Lösen vs. Beilegen

For everyday problems, use 'einen Konflikt lösen'. If you are writing a formal essay or business email, use the fancier 'einen Konflikt beilegen' (to settle a conflict).

Geraten in...

A great, native-sounding phrase is 'in einen Konflikt geraten' (to get into a conflict). It sounds much better than just saying 'einen Konflikt starten'.

Don't Be Afraid of It

In a German workplace, bringing up a 'Konflikt' is often seen as professional and proactive. Don't be afraid to use the word if there is a genuine issue that needs fixing.

Genitive Case

To sound advanced, use the genitive case: 'die Ursache des Konflikts' (the cause of the conflict). Notice the 's' added to the end of Konflikt.

Konflikt vs. Streit

Use 'Streit' for petty arguments, yelling, or bickering. Reserve 'Konflikt' for deeper issues, work problems, or political situations.

Descriptive Adjectives

Pair it with strong adjectives to sound fluent: ein 'schwelender' Konflikt (smoldering), ein 'ungelöster' Konflikt (unresolved), ein 'offener' Konflikt (open).

News Anchor Vocabulary

When watching German news, listen for 'bewaffneter Konflikt'. It is the standard journalistic term for a war or violent uprising.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

A CON (convict) FLICKED a T (tea) cup at another prisoner, starting a massive CONFLIKT.

Visual Association

Imagine two people yelling at each other, and in a thought bubble above them, the English word 'CONFLICT' morphs into the German 'KONFLIKT' with a sharp, spiky 'K' replacing the soft 'C'.

Word Web

Streit Krieg Problem Lösung Eskalation Frieden Krise Spannung

Challenge

Next time you watch a movie or read a book, try to identify the main 'Konflikt' of the story and explain it out loud in simple German (e.g., 'Der Konflikt ist zwischen dem Held und dem Bösewicht').

Word Origin

The word entered the German language in the 16th century, borrowed from the Latin word 'conflictus', which means 'a striking together' or 'a contest'. This Latin word is derived from the past participle of 'confligere' (to strike together, to fight). It initially appeared in scholarly and legal texts before becoming a common word in everyday language.

Original meaning: A physical striking together or collision, which evolved to mean a clash of interests or armies.

Indo-European > Italic > Latin (borrowed into Germanic).

Cultural Context

The word itself is neutral, but be careful when describing someone as 'konfliktscheu' (conflict-avoidant), as it can be seen as an insult in a culture that values directness.

In English-speaking corporate cultures, conflicts are often softened with polite language ('I have a slight concern'). In Germany, it is more common to name the 'Konflikt' directly.

'Der Konflikt der Fakultäten' (The Conflict of the Faculties) - A famous work by philosopher Immanuel Kant. 'Generationskonflikt' - A frequent theme in German post-war literature, dealing with the guilt of the WWII generation.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Workplace / HR

Konflikt am Arbeitsplatz
Konfliktmanagement
einen Konflikt klären
konfliktfähig sein

Politics and News

bewaffneter Konflikt
politischer Konflikt
den Konflikt beilegen
Konfliktparteien

Psychology / Literature

innerer Konflikt
Rollenkonflikt
Gewissenskonflikt
den Konflikt austragen

Everyday Relationships

Konflikte vermeiden
konfliktscheu sein
einen Konflikt haben
sich dem Konflikt stellen

Legal / Formal

Interessenkonflikt
Zuständigkeitskonflikt
den Konflikt schlichten
außergerichtliche Konfliktlösung

Conversation Starters

"Wie gehst du normalerweise mit Konflikten um? (How do you usually deal with conflicts?)"

"Glaubst du, dass Konflikte manchmal gut für eine Beziehung sind? (Do you think conflicts are sometimes good for a relationship?)"

"Was war der letzte große Konflikt, den du lösen musstest? (What was the last big conflict you had to solve?)"

"Bist du eher konfliktscheu oder diskutierst du gerne? (Are you more conflict-avoidant or do you like to discuss?)"

"Wie kann man Konflikte am Arbeitsplatz am besten vermeiden? (How can one best avoid conflicts in the workplace?)"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe einen inneren Konflikt, den du kürzlich hattest. (Describe an inner conflict you recently had.)

Warum ist Konfliktmanagement in der heutigen Gesellschaft so wichtig? (Why is conflict management so important in today's society?)

Schreibe über einen Konflikt aus einem Buch oder Film, der dich fasziniert hat. (Write about a conflict from a book or movie that fascinated you.)

Wie unterscheidet sich die Art, wie in deinem Heimatland mit Konflikten umgegangen wird, von Deutschland? (How does the way conflicts are handled in your home country differ from Germany?)

Was sind die häufigsten Ursachen für Konflikte zwischen Freunden? (What are the most common causes for conflicts between friends?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, absolutely. In German, all nouns are capitalized regardless of where they appear in the sentence. So you must write 'der Konflikt', never 'der konflikt'.

It is a masculine noun. The definite article is 'der' (der Konflikt). When used as a direct object, it becomes 'den Konflikt'.

You use a compound noun: 'der Interessenkonflikt'. You do not translate it word-for-word as 'Konflikt von Interesse'. German prefers compounding nouns.

You can, but it sounds clinical or journalistic (like 'ein bewaffneter Konflikt' for a war). If two people are punching each other in a bar, it is better to use 'die Schlägerei' (brawl) or 'der Kampf'.

The plural is 'die Konflikte'. You just add an '-e' to the end. Remember to add an extra '-n' in the dative plural: 'mit den Konflikten'.

The verb 'lösen' (to solve/resolve) is the most common positive collocation: 'einen Konflikt lösen'. To avoid one, use 'vermeiden'.

It depends on the verb. If you are already in a conflict (static), use dative: 'Wir stecken in einem Konflikt'. If you are getting into one (movement/change), use accusative: 'Wir geraten in einen Konflikt'.

It specifically means 'conflict-avoidant'. 'Scheu' means shy or timid. So a 'konfliktscheu' person is someone who shies away from arguments and avoids confrontation.

Yes, exactly like in English. You can say 'ein innerer Konflikt' or 'ein Gewissenskonflikt' (a conflict of conscience) to describe a psychological or moral dilemma.

Generally, German culture values directness. A 'Konflikt' is often seen as something that needs to be addressed openly and resolved logically, rather than hidden to maintain superficial harmony.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a simple sentence saying 'The conflict is bad.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Nominative case, simple adjective.