noun

der Vorschlag, ¨-e

suggestion

Eine Idee oder Empfehlung, die man jemandem gibt, um etwas zu verbessern oder zu entscheiden.

Definition & meaning

Vorschlag usually means a suggestion, proposal, or recommendation: an idea or plan put forward for others to consider.

Depending on context, it can also mean:

A draft or proposed plan, such as a proposal for a project or arrangement.
A grace note in music: a brief ornamental note played just before a main note.

Grammar & word origin

Vorschlag is a masculine noun. Its plural is Vorschläge . The noun comes from the separable verb vorschlagen , meaning “to suggest” or “to propose.” It combines vor (“forward” or “before”) and schlagen (“to strike”); the original image is of putting or bringing an idea forward.

Synonyms & antonyms

der Vorschlag is close in meaning to die Empfehlung (“recommendation”), which often implies that the idea is advised as a good choice.
die Anregung (“suggestion” or “impulse”) often refers to an idea intended to inspire further thought or action.
der Antrag (“application” or “motion”) is more formal and often asks an authority or group to approve something.
There is no exact antonym. die Ablehnung (“rejection”) is a possible opposite when a proposal is refused; der Gegenvorschlag (“counterproposal”) is an alternative proposal rather than a direct opposite.