besondere Bedürfnisse
The English phrase "special needs" can be translated into German as besondere Bedürfnisse.
besondere Bedürfnisse refers to the requirements for special care, services or accommodations for disabilities. In educational or social contexts, you may also encounter Förderbedarf, a formal term used to emphasize the support a person needs to reach their full potential.
Meaning: needs for special care, services or accommodations for disabilities (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase besondere Bedürfnisse is composed of the adjective besondere (special/particular) and the plural noun Bedürfnisse (needs).
Which one should you use?
While besondere Bedürfnisse refers to the needs of people (often in a social or educational context), the term Sonderbedarf is often used for specific material requirements or specialized demand in a commercial or technical sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, the phrase may change its form due to declension. For example, when used after certain prepositions like mit (with), it becomes besonderen Bedürfnissen due to the dative case.
Did you know?
- In an official German bureaucratic context, you might see the term Nachteilsausgleich used. This literally means 'disadvantage compensation' and refers to the specific accommodations provided to ensure people with special needs are treated equally.
- The adjective besondere shares a linguistic ancestor with the English word 'sunder', which means to separate or part. This stems from the Middle High German 'besunder', reflecting the idea of something being set apart from the norm.
- In many German-speaking regions, the phrase Inklusion has largely replaced older, more clinical terms regarding 'special needs' in official policy. Using old terminology can sometimes be seen as outdated or insensitive in a modern social context.
Examples in context
- Die Schule bietet Unterstützung für Schülerinnen und Schüler mit besonderen Bedürfnissen.The school provides support for students with special needs.
- Unser Sohn hat einen Förderbedarf in Mathematik.Our son has a special need for support in mathematics.
- Sie arbeitet mit Menschen mit Behinderungen und berücksichtigt ihre individuellen Bedürfnisse.She works with people with disabilities, taking into account their individual needs.
- Die Schule bietet Unterstützung für besondere Bedürfnisse an.The school offers support for special needs.
- Jeder Mensch hat unterschiedliche besondere Bedürfnisse.Every person has different special needs.
Example conversation
Two teachers are discussing a new student in the classroom.
- MaximilianHat der neue Schüler besondere Bedürfnisse?Does the new student have special needs?
- LauraJa, er braucht Hilfe beim Lesen.Yes, he needs help with reading.
- MaximilianSoll ich die Materialien anpassen?Should I adapt the materials?
- LauraDas wäre sehr hilfreich, Maximilian.That would be very helpful, Maximilian.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries besondere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
