die Initiative
Translation
initiative, drive, proposal, bill
Examples
Er ergriff die Initiative.
He took the initiative.
Eine neue Initiative soll das Problem lösen.
A new initiative is supposed to solve the problem.
Ihm fehlt die nötige Initiative.
He lacks the necessary initiative.
Grammar Patterns
die Initiative ergreifen to take the initiative He took the initiative to lead the project.
eine Initiative ((für+4)) an initiative for (sth.) She started an initiative for more environmental protection.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Anstoß (impetus), Vorschlag (proposal), Eigeninitiative (personal initiative); Antonyms: Passivität (passivity), Trägheit (lethargy)
Etymology
From Latin 'initium' meaning 'a beginning'. It's related to the act of starting something.
Memory Tips
Think of the English words 'initial' and 'initiate'. An initiative is the first, or initial, action to get something started.