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Einbildungskraft

faculty of imagination

noun AYN-bil-dungs-kraft Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Also means

power of the imagination

Usage Note

Einbildungskraft is a philosophical and literary term for the mind's imaginative faculty, especially the ability to form mental images and conceive new ideas. Kant used it extensively. Less common in casual speech than Fantasie.

Examples

"Kinder besitzen eine lebhafte Einbildungskraft, die Erwachsene oft verlieren."

Natural Translation

Children possess a vivid faculty of imagination that adults often lose.

Literal Translation

Children possess a vivid imagination-power that adults often lose.

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