das  Bedenken

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈdɛŋkn̩/

🤔 What exactly is 'das Bedenken'?

Das Bedenken (neuter noun) describes a doubt, concern, misgiving, or consideration that makes someone hesitate or urges caution. It's an internal reservation or critical reflection regarding a matter, plan, or statement.

It's very frequently used in the plural: die Bedenken (the concerns/doubts).

Important: The noun das Bedenken is not the same as the verb bedenken (to consider, to reflect upon, to bear in mind, sometimes also to give a gift to someone).

• Das Bedenken (noun): A doubt, a concern. Example: Ich habe Bedenken wegen des Wetters. (I have concerns about the weather.)
• bedenken (verb): To consider, reflect upon. Example: Wir müssen alle Aspekte bedenken. (We have to consider all aspects.)

🚨 Be careful not to confuse the noun (with the article 'das', capitalized) with the infinitive of the verb (lowercase).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Bedenken'

The noun 'Bedenken' is neuter. Its article is das. It belongs to the group of nouns derived from verbs (here: bedenken) that often denote abstract concepts.

Singular Declension (rarely used)

Plural Declension (commonly used)

📝 Application Examples

• Nominative Plural: Die Bedenken der Anwohner wurden ernst genommen.
  (The residents' concerns were taken seriously.)
• Genitive Singular (rare): Trotz des Bedenkens einiger weniger wurde das Projekt gestartet.
  (Despite the misgivings of a few, the project was launched.)
• Dative Plural: Wir schenkten den Bedenken keine Beachtung.
  (We paid no attention to the concerns.)
• Accusative Plural: Er äußerte seine Bedenken sehr deutlich.
  (He voiced his concerns very clearly.)
• Accusative Singular (rare): Gibt es irgendein Bedenken gegen diesen Vorschlag?
  (Is there any objection/concern regarding this proposal?)

💡 How to Use 'Bedenken'?

'Bedenken' is mostly used in the plural to express doubts or reservations.

• Bedenken haben: Indicates that someone has doubts or worries about something. (Ich habe Bedenken, ob das die richtige Entscheidung ist. - I have doubts whether this is the right decision.)
• Bedenken äußern/anmelden: To voice doubts or criticism. (Mehrere Experten äußerten Bedenken gegen den Plan. - Several experts voiced concerns about the plan.)
• Bedenken zerstreuen: To dispel doubts or reassure someone. (Der Projektleiter versuchte, die Bedenken der Investoren zu zerstreuen. - The project manager tried to dispel the investors' concerns.)
• Ohne Bedenken: Without hesitation, without reservations. (Sie können das Dokument ohne Bedenken unterschreiben. - You can sign the document without hesitation/concern.)
• Etwas in Bedenken ziehen: To consider something (less common, 'etwas bedenken' or 'etwas in Erwägung ziehen' are more frequent).

Compared to der Zweifel (doubt), which often describes a specific uncertainty about the truth or correctness of something, das Bedenken is more often associated with potential negative consequences or risks that call for caution.

'Bedenken' often sounds slightly more formal or considered than 'Sorge' (worry) or 'Angst' (fear).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Bedenken'

For the article 'das': Think of other abstract nouns often derived from verbs that are neuter: das Denken (the thinking), das Fühlen (the feeling), das Überlegen (the consideration)... and also das Bedenken. It's something related to thought, neutral, hence 'das'.

For the meaning: When you intensely be-DENKEN (think about) something, doubts or critical points might come to mind – those are your Bedenken (concerns/doubts).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Watch out for these!

• Der Gedanke: A thought, an idea (without necessary doubt).
• Die Überlegung: The act of thinking, deliberation (often more neutral than 'Bedenken').

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nimmt ein Zauderer nie den Aufzug?
Er hat zu viele Bedenken wegen der Auf- und Abwärtsbewegung! 😄

(Why does a hesitant person never take the elevator?
He has too many 'Bedenken' (concerns/misgivings, also a pun on 'thinking about') regarding the up and down movement!)

📜 A Short Poem

Ein Plan, so kühn, ein Schritt nach vorn,
doch leise mahnt ein innerer Dorn.
Das Bedenken flüstert: "Warte noch!",
ein Zögern webt sich, sanft und doch
so stark, dass man inne hält,
bevor die Entscheidung fällt.

(A plan so bold, a step ahead,
but softly warns an inner dread.
The doubt/concern whispers: "Wait a bit!",
a hesitation starts to knit,
so gently, yet so strong a hold,
before the final choice unfolds.)

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch kann ich Zweifel säen.
Ich habe keine Füße, doch lass ich Pläne stillstehen.
Ich wohne oft im Plural, wenn Vorsicht man empfiehlt.
Man äußert mich, man hat mich, bis man die Zweifel stillt.

Was bin ich?

(I have no mouth, yet I can sow doubt.
I have no feet, yet I make plans halt.
I often live in plural when caution is advised.
You voice me, you have me, until the doubt subsides.

What am I?) (Answer: Das Bedenken / Die Bedenken - The concern(s)/doubt(s))

🧩 Other Interesting Aspects

Word Formation

The word 'Bedenken' is a nominalization (substantivierung) of the verb 'bedenken'. The prefix 'be-' often intensifies the action or directs it towards an object. The base is 'denken' (to think).

Typical Combinations (Collocations)

• ernsthafte Bedenken: serious concerns
• moralische Bedenken: moral scruples/concerns
• rechtliche Bedenken: legal concerns/doubts
• ökologische Bedenken: ecological concerns
• Bedenken hegen: to harbor doubts (formal)
• Bedenken zerstreuen: to dispel concerns
• Bedenken äußern: to voice concerns