das  Bemühen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈmyːən/

💡 What exactly is "das Bemühen"?

Das Bemühen (noun, neuter) describes the effort, endeavor, or attempt to achieve a specific goal or complete a task. It's the nominalization (turning into a noun) of the verb "sich bemühen" (to make an effort, to try). It often expresses the process or act of striving, regardless of success.

The only article for this word is das because it's a nominalized infinitive verb, which are typically neuter in German.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Das Bemühen

"Das Bemühen" is a nominalized infinitive and therefore a neuter noun. It is mostly used in the singular because it often describes an abstract process. The plural form ("die Bemühen") is very rare and hardly ever used.

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural - rare)

📝 Example Sentences

• Sein Bemühen, pünktlich zu sein, war offensichtlich.
  (His effort to be on time was obvious.)
• Trotz all ihres Bemühens konnte sie die Prüfung nicht bestehen.
  (Despite all her efforts, she couldn't pass the exam.)
• Wir schätzen Ihr Bemühen um eine schnelle Lösung.
  (We appreciate your effort towards a quick solution.)
• Das ständige Bemühen um Perfektion kann anstrengend sein.
  (The constant striving for perfection can be exhausting.)

🚀 When and how to use "das Bemühen"?

"Das Bemühen" is used to describe the effort or endeavor someone undertakes to achieve something. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• At work: Das Bemühen des Teams um Kundenzufriedenheit wurde belohnt. (The team's effort towards customer satisfaction was rewarded.)
• In daily life: Ihr Bemühen, Deutsch zu lernen, ist bewundernswert. (Her effort to learn German is admirable.)
• In relationships: Das Bemühen umeinander ist wichtig für eine Partnerschaft. (Making an effort for each other is important for a partnership.)

Difference from "die Anstrengung" or "die Mühe": While "Anstrengung" (exertion) and "Mühe" (trouble, pains) often emphasize the physical or mental strain, "Bemühen" focuses more on the active attempt and the intention behind it. "Das Bemühen" can also fail, whereas "die Mühe" often implies that something (difficult) was done.

⚠️ Be careful: Sometimes "Bemühen" can sound slightly ironic if the result is poor despite the attempt (e.g., "Sein Bemühen war ja nett, aber..." - "His effort was nice, but...").

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Bemühen"

For the article (das): Many German nouns derived from verbs ending in "-en" (nominalized infinitives) are neuter: das Essen (the eating/food), das Trinken (the drinking), das Leben (the living/life), and also das Bemühen. Think: An action or process itself is often neutral, hence 'das'. Or think: "What is *it* you are doing?" - "*It* (das) is making an effort (Bemühen)".

For the meaning (effort, endeavor): Imagine someone is putting in much Mühe (effort/trouble) and trying to be successful. This trying or putting in effort is das Bemühen.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Similar-sounding words (potential confusion):

• Die Bemühung(en): The plural form of das Bemühen, which is rarely used. Can sometimes refer to concrete efforts or steps taken.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Zeigen Sie auch eigenes Bemühen?"
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Ja klar, ich bemühe mich jeden Morgen, pünktlich aufzustehen!"

(Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Do you also show your own effort?"
The employee says: "Sure, I make an effort every morning to get up on time!")

✍️ Poem about Effort (das Bemühen)

Das Bemühen, klein und groß,
ist oft ein hartes, schweres Los.
Man strebt und hofft, gibt alles rein,
möge Erfolg der Lohn dann sein.
Doch auch der Weg, das reine Streben,
kann Sinn und Wert dem Handeln geben.

(Translation: The effort, small and large,
is often a hard, heavy lot.
One strives and hopes, gives one's all,
may success then be the reward.
But also the path, the pure striving,
can give meaning and value to action.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Versuch, doch mehr als das,
ich koste Kraft, mal Freud, mal Hass.
Man sieht mich oft im Tun und Streben,
um Ziele hoch hinauszuheben.
Ob's klappt, ist nicht immer gewiss,
doch ohne mich wär's oft trist und miss.

Was bin ich?

(Translation:
I am an attempt, but more than that,
I cost energy, sometimes joy, sometimes hate.
You often see me in action and striving,
to lift goals high up.
Whether it works out is not always certain,
but without me, it would often be dreary and amiss.

What am I?)

(Solution: das Bemühen / effort)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition: "Das Bemühen" is the nominalization of the reflexive verb "sich bemühen" (to make an effort, to endeavor). The verb itself derives from the noun "Mühe" (effort, trouble), with the prefix "be-", which often indicates an action directed towards something or the process of doing something.

Cultural Context: In German (work) culture, demonstrating Bemühen (effort) is often viewed positively, even if the outcome isn't always perfect. It signals commitment and dedication (Einsatzbereitschaft).