Usage Note
Gewissensbiss (usually plural: Gewissensbisse) describes the discomfort felt when one has acted against one's own moral standards. It is a common everyday word — keine Gewissensbisse haben means to feel no remorse — and spans ethical and religious contexts.
Examples
"Er gab das gefundene Geld zurück, weil er sonst Gewissensbisse gehabt hätte."
Natural Translation
He returned the money he had found because otherwise he would have had a guilty conscience.
Literal Translation
He gave back the found money because he otherwise would have had conscience-bites.
Related Words
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