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sich ernst nehmen

/zɪç ˈɛʁnst ˈneːmən/
reflexive verb phrase★Intermediate— to take oneself seriously
general

To regard oneself as important or worthy of respect; to have self-respect and confidence in one's abilities.

Sie nimmt sich sehr ernst und erwartet, dass andere sie respektieren.

She takes herself very seriously and expects others to respect her.

Er sollte sich mehr ernst nehmen und an sich glauben.

He should take himself more seriously and believe in himself.

💡

This phrase emphasizes self-respect and confidence, but it can also imply arrogance if overdone.

Collocations

sich selbst ernst nehmento take oneself seriouslyjemanden ernst nehmento take someone seriously

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

sich nicht zu wichtig nehmenphrase
not to take oneself too seriously
sich selbst in Frage stellenphrase
to question oneself

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

The phrase can be positive (encouraging self-respect) or negative (suggesting arrogance), depending on tone and context.

⚡Gold Rule

Self-Respect vs. Arrogance

Use this phrase to encourage confidence, but be aware that it can imply criticism if used in a negative context.

📖Word Origin

The phrase combines the reflexive pronoun 'sich' with the adjective 'ernst' (serious) and the verb 'nehmen' (to take). It reflects the German cultural value of self-respect and professionalism.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to encourage self-confidence and self-respect. However, it can also be used critically to suggest that someone is being overly serious or arrogant.

Word Breakdown

sich
oneself
reflexive pronoun
+
ernst
serious
adjective
+
nehmen
to take
verb
Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch

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