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Fingerspitzengefühl

intuitive tact, feel for nuance

noun FING-er-shpit-sen-geh-fuehl Rare
Mind & Emotions Personality

Also means

delicate handling of sensitive matters

Usage Note

Fingerspitzengefühl (lit. 'fingertip feeling') describes an instinctive, almost physical sensitivity to interpersonal dynamics. It is practical and action-oriented — someone with it handles a tricky situation skillfully. More colloquial than Feingefühl.

Examples

"Der Moderator bewies echtes Fingerspitzengefühl im Umgang mit dem emotionalen Thema."

Natural Translation

The moderator showed real intuitive tact in dealing with the emotional topic.

Literal Translation

The moderator proved real fingertip-feeling in the handling of the emotional topic.

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