3 ms·

Fun fact: "Eigen-" is the same word part as in "eigenvalue", "eigenvector" or "eigenfrequency", meaning intrinsic/inherent to.

• jbverschoor 5y ago
  Own / self
• ballenf 5y ago
  Would "fundamental" be a valid translation?
  • minxomat 5y ago
    Less accurate, because "eigen" is a word used to describe ownership. "Eigenheit" is a distinct property "owned" by something. "Eigentum" literally means ownership.
    • gpvos 5y ago
      Indeed, 'eigen' and 'own' are cognates.
• User23 5y ago
  Also eigentlich
• NelsonMinar 5y ago
  It's an ordinary German word. Hilariously the Collins dictionary translates it as both "typical" and "strange, peculiar". But those English word choices are ambiguous. I'd say "characteristic" or "exemplary" instead and it covers both definitions. (I'm not a very good German speaker though.) https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/german-english/eigen https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/german-engli...
  • _Microft 5y ago
    It is an ordinary word but I always made the connection via "zu eigen sein" instead which also gives a lot nicer translations in this case: https://www.dict.cc/?s=eigen+sein https://www.dict.cc/?s=eigen+sein