noun

der Wahn, -e

delusion

Eine starke falsche Überzeugung, die nicht zur Wirklichkeit passt und sich kaum ändern lässt.

Definition & meaning

The German noun Wahn refers to a state of mind characterized by delusions, obsessions, or irrational fixations. It describes a departure from reality where a person holds false beliefs that cannot be corrected by logical reasoning or contrary evidence.

In a broader, non-clinical sense, the word is often used to describe:

Delusion or psychosis: A profound psychological state where an individual loses touch with reality (e.g., Größenwahn - megalomania).
Obsession or mania: An excessive, uncontrolled preoccupation with an idea, goal, or behavior (e.g., Kaufsucht - shopping mania, or figuratively used in compounds).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: Masculine noun (der Wahn), plural: die Wahne.
Origin: The word originates from the Old High German wan (expectation, hope, belief). Over time, the meaning shifted from a neutral "expectation" to a negative "erroneous assumption" or "false belief." It is etymologically related to the verb wähnen (to imagine, to fancy, to falsely believe).