by Elena Krafft
Anyone who has lived and worked internationally can tell their own stories about how speaking the local language opens up deeper access to a country’s culture, providing a richer understanding of its people, values, and way of thinking. Language is not just a tool for communication, it shapes how we perceive and interact with the world around us through the way it frames certain concepts(1).
Both German and Arabic, while distinct languages with their own histories and structures, offer fascinating insights into how speakers of each language may conceptualize the future. By examining the linguistic, cultural, and religious contexts in these two languages, we can explore how they affect speakers’ general attitudes toward the future, their sense of agency, and their behavior.
The Future in German: Already here
The German word for future, Zukunft, derives from the Old High German word Zuochumft, which can be literally translated as "that which is coming toward someone."(2) This implies that the future is not something the individual is heading toward, but rather something that is actively moving toward them.
Grammatically, German is a so-called "futureless" language. This means that the future tense, even though it exists, mustn’t be used to grammatically correctly describe the future. For example:
PRESENT: | |
English: Today it rains. | |
German: | Heute regnet es. |
Literal translation: | Today rains it. |
FUTURE: | |
English: Tomorrow it will rain. | |
German | Morgen regnet es. |
Literal translation: | Tomorrow rains it. |
While the English version shows how the verb must change from present to future tense (rains vs. will rain), in German the verb’s tense doesn’t need to change (regnet). This creates the (unconscious) feeling of the future not being isolated from the present but closer and more immediate. This "futureless" or weak-future grammatical structure which can also be observed in other languages might help to explain why Germans tend to engage in future-oriented behaviors more than speakers of languages with more rigid future tenses. Research shows that speakers of futureless languages are more likely to save money, exercise, and take steps to improve their long-term health(3). This linguistic proximity to the future makes it feel psychologically closer and more relevant.
Culturally, German proverbs also reflect a sense of responsibility and pragmatism regarding the future. Phrases like „Was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgen" (Whatever you can do today, don't put it off until tomorrow) emphasize the importance of seizing the present moment to shape the future.
The Future in Arabic: Divine and Cyclical
In contrast, Arabic speakers often conceptualize the future differently. While there is an inherent sense of direction, this idea of the future is tied to a cyclical, sometimes divine view of time. In Arabic-speaking cultures, the future is often seen as part of a larger, cyclical process, where time is not merely linear but recurring, influenced by divine will.
Contrary to German, Arabic is a futured language. Similar to English, Arabic grammar requires the use of a distinct tense to refer to the future, which is formed by adding the prefix sa- to the verb, such as انها ستمطر – ‘iinaha satamtir (it will rain). This grammatical structure reinforces the idea that the future is something separate from the present, marking it as a distinct and often unpredictable part of existence.
The Influence of Religion and Culture on Future Thinking
Both German and Arabic cultures are shaped by religious traditions that influence how their speakers view the future, though in distinct ways.
In modern Germany, religion plays a marginal role in daily life for most people as nowadays around 46% of Germans are of no religious belief(4). However, German culture was historically built on strong Christian values, which continue to impact the mindset of German speakers, often unconsciously. The ‘Protestant work ethic’(5) for example, emphasizing personal responsibility, hard work, and future planning, has deeply influenced the German cultural attitude toward time and preparation. This ethic stresses that individuals are morally obligated to plan and work diligently for the future.
Contrary to Germany, religion remains deeply embedded in Arabic-speaking cultures, where Islam continues to shape both daily life and language. This is evident in the frequent use of religious terms in everyday language, such as Inshallah (meaning "if God wills"). While it might differ across countries, in the UAE, I have observed its usage in many situations and contexts, including business, for example: "Inshallah, we will have that meeting tomorrow."
Arabic proverbs related to the future often reflect the influence of religion, such as the saying "La taqlaq min al mustaqbal. Ana urid, anta turid, wa Allah yaf’al ma yurid ("Don’t worry about the future. You desire things, as do I, but in the end, Allah does what He desires")(6). This expresses the Islamic belief of qadar (divine predestination), where, although human actions shape the future, ultimate control lies with Allah. Religious teachings in Arabic-speaking cultures emphasize the balance between human agency and divine sovereignty.
As a result, while planning and making decisions based on rational foresight are encouraged, attempting to predict the future through means like astrology or fortune-telling is considered haram (forbidden), since ultimate knowledge belongs only to Allah.
Conclusion: Two Perspectives on the Future
In German, the future feels closer and more integrated into the present, encouraging a proactive, future-oriented mindset. In contrast, Arabic views the future as distinct yet deeply connected to divine will, with an emphasis on balancing personal responsibility with spiritual surrender. Both languages reveal how the ways we talk about time influence how we live our lives and shape our futures, whether through direct action or acceptance of fate. Neither is better or worse; rather, they reflect different worldviews that offer valuable insights into how we might navigate the unknowns of tomorrow.
This article was written in collaboration with Heba Alhadyian, who contributed valuable insights into the Arabic language.
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© Elena Krafft, 2025
Elena Krafft is a Foresight and Innovation Manager with extensive experience across the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe. Currently based in Dubai, UAE, she has led and contributed to numerous foresight and innovation projects, both in-house and as a consultant for client engagements and thought leadership initiatives. Her primary aspiration is to create measurable and sustainable impact through innovation and strategic foresight, particularly in the fields of education and social development. She is also dedicated to expanding her research on the influence of cultures and languages in foresight practices.