das  Bedürfnis

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈdʏʁfnɪs/

🧐 What does "das Bedürfnis" mean?

The noun das Bedürfnis generally describes a state or feeling of lack, combined with the desire to remedy this lack. It can refer to different types of necessities or desires:

• Basic Necessity: Often physiological, like the need (Bedürfnis) for food, water, sleep, or safety (Grundbedürfnisse - basic needs).
• Psychological/Emotional Desire: The need (Bedürfnis) for love, recognition, belonging, or self-actualization.
• Concrete Need/Requirement: A specific wish or necessity in a particular situation, e.g., the need (Bedürfnis) for information or help.
• Urge/Craving: A strong inner drive to do or have something, e.g., the need (Bedürfnis) to smoke or to move.

It's a central concept in psychology (e.g., Maslow's hierarchy of needs) and philosophy.

📚 Grammar in Detail: Das Bedürfnis

"Bedürfnis" is a neuter noun. It is used with the article das.

Declension of "das Bedürfnis" (Need, Requirement)

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das grundlegende Bedürfnis nach Sicherheit ist universell.
   (The basic need for security is universal.)
2. Die Befriedigung des Bedürfnisses nach sozialer Anerkennung ist wichtig.
   (The satisfaction of the need for social recognition is important.)
3. Er gab dem Bedürfnis nach Schlaf nach.
   (He gave in to the need for sleep.)
4. Sie äußerte ihr Bedürfnis nach Ruhe.
   (She expressed her need for quiet.)
5. Die Bedürfnisse der Kinder stehen im Vordergrund.
   (The children's needs are the priority.)
6. Man muss sich der Bedürfnisse anderer bewusst sein.
   (One must be aware of the needs of others.)
7. Wir müssen uns den Bedürfnissen des Marktes anpassen.
   (We must adapt to the needs of the market.)
8. Er kennt die Bedürfnisse seiner Kunden genau.
   (He knows his customers' needs precisely.)

💡 How to use "das Bedürfnis"?

"Bedürfnis" is used to express a wide range of states of lack and desires.

• Context: It can be used in everyday conversations (e.g., "Ich habe das Bedürfnis nach einer Pause" - I feel the need for a break), in psychological or sociological discussions (e.g., "menschliche Bedürfnisse" - human needs), or in more formal contexts (e.g., "die Bedürfnisse der Zielgruppe analysieren" - to analyze the target group's needs).
• Prepositions: It's often used with the preposition "nach": das Bedürfnis nach etwas (Dativ) - the need for something. Example: "das Bedürfnis nach Liebe" - the need for love.
• Verbs: Typical verbs are: ein Bedürfnis haben (to have), verspüren (to feel), fühlen (to feel), äußern (to express), befriedigen (to satisfy), stillen (to satisfy/quench), wecken (to awaken).
• Difference from "Bedarf": While "Bedürfnis" often describes a subjective lack or desire (also emotional), "der Bedarf" (demand, requirement) usually refers to an objectively ascertainable, concrete lack of goods or resources (e.g., "der Bedarf an Fachkräften" - the demand for skilled workers). However, the lines can be blurry. Compare: "Das Bedürfnis nach Essen" (the feeling of hunger) vs. "Der Bedarf an Lebensmitteln" (the objective requirement for food supplies).

🧠 Memory Aids

Article Aid (das): Many German nouns ending in "-nis" are neuter (das). Think of other examples like "das Geheimnis" (the secret), "das Ergebnis" (the result), "das Zeugnis" (the certificate/testimony). Associate "das Bedürfnis" with this group. Or, think: IT (ES in German, implying neuter) has a need. DAS thing has DAS Bedürfnis.

Meaning Aid: "Bedürfnis" sounds a bit like "be-dear-of-this". When you are dear of something, you really want or need it - you have a Bedürfnis for it. Or think of the related verb "bedürfen" (to need, require).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution, similar!

• Die Notdurft (Call of nature): Refers specifically to the physical need to urinate or defecate. Don't mix them up!

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist das dringendste Bedürfnis eines Schülers am Montagmorgen?"
Antwortet Fritzchen: "Das Bedürfnis nach Wochenende, Herr Lehrer!"

Teacher asks: "What is a student's most urgent need on Monday morning?"
Little Fritz answers: "The need for the weekend, sir!"

📜 Poetically Expressed

Ein Funke tief, mal laut, mal leis,
Das Bedürfnis bricht das Eis.
Nach Nähe, Wärme, einem Sinn,
Treibt uns voran, von Anbeginn.
Ob Hunger, Durst, ob Seelenschmerz,
Es pocht und drängt in jedem Herz.
Gestillt, bringt's Ruhe, Glück, Zufriedenheit,
Ein Motor für die Lebenszeit.

A spark inside, now loud, now low,
The need (das Bedürfnis) helps break the ice, you know.
For closeness, warmth, for meaning's quest,
It drives us on, puts us to the test.
Be it hunger, thirst, or soul's deep pain,
It beats and pushes, again and again.
Fulfilled, brings peace, contentment's art,
An engine for life, right from the start.

🧩 A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Mangel, mal groß, mal klein,
treibe dich an, lässt dich nicht allein.
Mal brauchst du Schlaf, mal was zu essen,
mal willst du Liebe, nicht vergessen.
Man stillt mich gern, doch komm ich wieder,
sing meine ewig alten Lieder.

Was bin ich?

I am a lack, sometimes big, sometimes small,
I drive you on, won't let you fall.
Sometimes you need sleep, sometimes food to bite,
Sometimes you want love, with all your might.
You like to quench me, but I return anew,
Singing my age-old songs for you.

What am I?
(... Das Bedürfnis / The Need)

🤓 Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Bedürfnis" derives from the verb "bedürfen", which means "to need" or "to require". The suffix "-nis" often forms abstract nouns in the neuter gender in German.

Cultural Relevance

Maslow's hierarchy of needs (die Maslowsche Bedürfnispyramide) is a well-known psychological model that arranges human needs hierarchically – from basic physiological needs to self-actualization. This highlights the central role of the concept "Bedürfnis" in understanding human action and motivation.