Noun
der Hintergedanke
Pronunciation: [ˈhɪntɐɡəˌdaŋkə]
ulterior motive
C2
rank #12,703
plural Hintergedanken
Meanings
Noun
- ulterior motive
- hidden agenda
Example sentence
Er muss das wohl ohne Hintergedanken so gesagt haben.
He must have said it like that without any ulterior motive, I suppose.
Word forms
singular
der Hintergedanke
plural
die Hintergedanken
The four cases
Singular
Nominativeder Hintergedanke
Accusativeden Hintergedanken
Dativedem Hintergedanken
Genitivedes Hintergedankens
Plural
Nominativedie Hintergedanken
Accusativedie Hintergedanken
Dativeden Hintergedanken
Genitiveder Hintergedanken
Usage
- ohne Hintergedanken — without ulterior motives; common plural expression
- einen Hintergedanken haben — have an ulterior motive, a hidden intention
Sie nahm das Geschenk an, ohne einen Hintergedanken zu vermuten.
She accepted the gift without suspecting an ulterior motive.