der Wille
Translation
will, volition, intention, determination
Examples
Er hat einen starken Willen.
He has a strong will.
Wo ein Wille ist, ist auch ein Weg.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
Das geschah gegen meinen Willen.
That happened against my will.
Grammar Patterns
the will ((to sth.)) the will to do something. Er zeigte seinen Willen zum Erfolg.
((against sb.'s will)) against someone's will. Er handelte gegen den Willen seiner Eltern.
((of one's own free will)) voluntarily. Sie half aus freiem Willen.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Absicht (intention), Entschlossenheit (determination); Antonyms: Unentschlossenheit (indecisiveness)
Etymology
From Old High German 'willo', related to the verb 'wollen' (to want). It is a direct cognate of the English word 'will'.
Memory Tips
Think of the English word 'will' as in 'willpower' or the saying 'where there's a will, there's a way'. The German word is almost identical.