abgewöhnen

Abgewöhnen is a German verb that translates to "to unlearn," "to get rid of a habit," or "to break a habit." It describes the process of consciously stopping an undesirable behavior or thought pattern. This can range from simple habits like nail-biting to more complex issues like phobias or negative thinking. The act of abgewöhnen implies an effort to consciously change oneself by discontinuing something that has become ingrained. It suggests a deliberate and often difficult process of behavioral modification.

The term can be applied in various contexts. For instance, a child might be told "Du musst dir das abgewöhnen" (You must unlearn that) if they exhibit a persistent unwanted behavior. Similarly, an adult might decide to "sich etwas abgewöhnen," such as smoking or excessive spending. The emphasis is on overcoming a learned response or tendency. This process often requires self-awareness, determination, and sometimes external support or strategies to facilitate the change. The opposite of abgewöhnen would be to acquire or learn a new habit.