Talking About Role Models in German: It’s More Complicated Than It Seems

Okay, so I’ve been here in Berlin for almost six months now, and honestly, learning German is… a journey. It’s not just about learning words, it’s about understanding how people talk to each other. And let me tell you, when it comes to talking about role models, it’s a whole different ball game. I thought I’d share what I’ve learned, mostly through trial and error (and a lot of blushing!).

The First Conversation – Confusion Over “Vorbild”

The first time I really tried to talk about this, it was at the Kantine (that’s a canteen, right?!) where I work. I was chatting with Thomas, a friendly guy from Poland who’s been here for years. I was telling him about my grandfather, who was a really brave engineer during the war. I wanted to say something like, “Mein Opa war ein großes Vorbild für mich.” But it came out completely wrong.

“Mein Opa… ein großes Vorbild für mich?” he looked at me completely puzzled. “Was ist ‘Vorbild’?” He actually just repeated the word, like he was testing me. I realized I’d used “Vorbild” as a direct translation of “role model” and it just didn’t land. He eventually explained that “Vorbild” means something closer to “example” or “model,” and it felt… lacking.

It made me realize that a simple translation isn’t always the answer. I mumbled something about “someone I admire,” and he nodded, relieved. I quickly learned to say: “Ich bewundere ihn sehr” – “I admire him a lot.” That seemed to be a much better fit.

Nuances of “Bewundern” vs. “Einfluss haben”

It wasn’t just the word choice, it was the feeling behind it. I used “Bewundern,” which means to admire, and that felt a bit too strong. My colleague, Susan, who’s incredibly observant, pointed out that Germans often use “Einfluss haben” – “to have an influence on” – when talking about role models. She said, “It’s more about the impact they’ve had, rather than just a general feeling of admiration.”

For example, I heard another colleague talking about his uncle: “Mein Onkel hat mich immer dazu inspiriert, etwas mit der Musik zu machen.” – “My uncle always inspired me to do something with music.” It’s not about worshipping him, it’s about the influence he had.

German Phrases You Need to Know

Here are a few key phrases I’ve picked up that are actually useful when talking about role models:

• “Ich verfolge/achte [Name] sehr.” – “I follow/pay attention to [Name] very much.” (This is a good way to say you admire someone’s career or achievements.)
• “Er/Sie ist ein Vorbild für mich, was [specific quality] angeht.” – “He/She is a role model for me, regarding [specific quality].” (e.g., “Er ist ein Vorbild für mich, was Ehrlichkeit angeht.” – “He is a role model for me regarding honesty.”)
• “Ich versuche, mich an [Name] zu orientieren.” – “I try to orient myself towards [Name].” (This implies you’re learning from their example.)

A Little Misunderstanding (and a Helpful Correction!)

Last week, I was talking to my landlord, Herr Schmidt, about my career goals. I was trying to express that I wanted to be like a successful architect he knew. I blurted out, “Ich möchte sein wie [Architect’s Name]!”

He stared at me, completely bewildered. Then he carefully explained, “Nein, nein! Sie möchten ihn – ‘him’ – als Inspiration nutzen, nicht sein wie ihn. It’s more about learning from his experience.”

It was a valuable lesson – sometimes you have to be more precise with your German!

It’s About Connection, Not Just Words

Ultimately, talking about role models in German is less about reciting perfect phrases and more about conveying the why behind your admiration. It’s about building a connection and showing that you understand the person’s influence on you.

I’m still making mistakes, of course. But I’m learning to listen more and speak less, and to focus on the feeling I want to express. And honestly, that’s a really important part of learning any language – it’s about connecting with the people you’re talking to. “Weiter so!” (Keep it up!)