überzeugung

Überzeugung is a German noun meaning conviction or belief. It denotes a firmly held belief or persuasion that a person accepts as true, often grounded in reasons, evidence, or moral considerations. The term can refer to an individual’s personal stance, a shared belief within a group, or a position actively advocated with confidence. It contrasts with a mere Meinung or Glauben by implying a stronger, justified inner certainty.

Etymology and use: Überzeugung is formed from the verb überzeugen (to convince) with the noun-making suffix -ung. In everyday language, Die Überzeugung can describe both how strongly someone feels about a topic and what they think is true. Phrases such as mit Überzeugung (with conviction), eine Überzeugung vertreten (to hold or advocate a conviction), or nach Überzeugung der Wissenschaftler (according to the conviction of the scientists) are common. The term can be religious, moral, political, or secular in scope, but it generally signals a stance that the speaker believes to be justified.

Relation to related terms: Überzeugung is related to Glaube (faith) and Meinung (opinion), but it usually carries greater force and justification. It is distinct from Beweis or Begründung, which denote evidence or reasoning; eine Überzeugung may be supported by Begründungen, Beweise, or experience. The adjective form is convincing or persuasive; the noun can also describe the quality of a person’s rhetoric, die Überzeugungskraft (the power to persuade).

Examples: Er hat die Überzeugung, dass Bildung der Schlüssel zum Fortschritt ist. Viele Menschen teilen die Überzeugung, dass Verantwortung in der Politik wichtig ist. In Diskussionen wird oft darauf geachtet, eine gut begründete Überzeugung zu präsentieren.