Beautiful German Words
Fingerspitzengefühl
FING-er-shpit-sen-ge-fool
The intuitive tact that can’t quite be taught — German has a word for that touch.
What it means
Fingerspitzengefühl — “fingertip feeling” — is an intuitive sensitivity: the delicate tact and instinct to handle a tricky situation or person exactly right.
It is the mark of a great diplomat, nurse or negotiator — reading the room and responding with precisely the right touch. English needs a whole phrase for it; German needs one word.
In real sentences
Sie hat viel Fingerspitzengefühl.
She has a great deal of tact and instinct.
She has a great deal of tact and instinct.
Das braucht Fingerspitzengefühl.
That takes a delicate touch.
That takes a delicate touch.
Word family
Fingerspitze (fingertip) + Gefühl (feeling). Gefühl powers many emotional words: Bauchgefühl (gut feeling) and Mitgefühl (compassion).
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