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Where does the word "angst" come from? It comes from German Angst, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
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Where does the word "angst" come from? It comes from German Angst, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
Angst’s story begins in German: Angst meant “fear, anxiety.” Meaning "fear" or "anxiety". It reached English by 1900s as angst. Kierkegaard's writings on dread were translated with German 'Angst', and Freud's work spread it further. Today, angst means a feeling of deep anxiety or dread, often existential.
- Stage 1 · German · medieval Angst "fear, anxiety", meaning "fear" or "anxiety".
- Stage 2 · English · 1900s angst "a feeling of deep anxiety or dread", Kierkegaard's writings on dread were translated with German 'Angst', and Freud's work spread it further.