das
Dilemma
🤔 What Exactly is a Dilemma?
Das Dilemma (noun, neuter) describes a situation where one is forced to choose between two or more equally unpleasant, difficult, or undesirable options. It's a *Zwickmühle* (predicament, quandary) from which there is often no easy way out.
There is only one article for this word: das. It describes an abstract situation or concept.
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with a simple Problem (problem). A *Dilemma* always implies a choice between at least two negative or problematic alternatives.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ma → mostly neutral.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Dilemma
The word *Dilemma* is a neuter noun (*sächlich*). Here is its declension:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Dilemma |
| Genitive | des | Dilemmas |
| Dative | dem | Dilemma |
| Accusative | das | Dilemma |
Plural Declension
The plural can be formed in two ways: "Dilemmas" (more common in colloquial speech) or "Dilemmata" (more formal/educated, from Greek).
| Case | Article | Noun | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Dilemmas | die | Dilemmata |
| Genitive | der | Dilemmas | der | Dilemmata |
| Dative | den | Dilemmas | den | Dilemmata |
| Accusative | die | Dilemmas | die | Dilemmata |
Example Sentences
- Er befand sich in einem moralischen Dilemma.
(He found himself in a moral dilemma.) - Das größte Dilemma war, wem er zuerst helfen sollte.
(The biggest dilemma was whom he should help first.) - Die Politiker diskutierten verschiedene ethische Dilemmata/Dilemmas.
(The politicians discussed various ethical dilemmas.)
💡 How to Use "das Dilemma"?
*Das Dilemma* is used to describe a predicament or a difficult decision-making situation where every choice has negative consequences or is undesirable.
- Typical Contexts: Ethics, morality, politics, personal decisions, psychology, philosophy.
- Formal vs. Informal: The word is rather elevated (*gehoben*) but is also understood in general usage. In very informal contexts, one might prefer *Zwickmühle* or *Klemme*.
- Distinction from other words:
- Problem: A more general term for a difficulty or a task to be solved. Not every Problem is a Dilemma.
- Konflikt: Often refers to a dispute or clash between parties or conflicting interests/desires within a person. A Dilemma can arise from a Konflikt.
- Zwickmühle: Very similar meaning to Dilemma, often used synonymously, perhaps slightly more colloquial.
People often talk about "in einem Dilemma stecken" (to be stuck in a dilemma) or "vor einem Dilemma stehen" (to face a dilemma).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
For the article: Think "das is bad!". A dilemma is usually a bad situation, so: "das Dilemma". Or: Das Dilemma is da (there) – a difficult choice.
For the meaning: A Di-lemma has two (Greek 'di') horns or sides, both of which sting – you have to choose one unpleasant side.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Zwickmühle: (Predicament, quandary) - Very close, often interchangeable.
- Klemme: (Tight spot, jam) - More colloquial for a difficult situation.
- Notlage: (Emergency, plight) - Refers more to a state of distress, not necessarily a choice.
- Konflikt (innerer): (Inner conflict) - When the choice is between one's own desires/duties.
- schwierige Entscheidung/Wahl: (Difficult decision/choice) - Paraphrase.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Lösung: (Solution) - Overcoming the dilemma.
- Ausweg: (Way out, escape) - Opportunity to avoid the dilemma.
- einfache Wahl: (Easy choice) - Clear preference for one option.
- klare Situation: (Clear situation) - No difficult decision needed.
- Gewissheit: (Certainty) - State without doubt or forced choice.
⚠️ Misleading Words
- Problem: More general; not every difficulty is a choice between two evils.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum stand der Philosoph vor dem kaputten Getränkeautomaten?
(Why was the philosopher standing in front of the broken vending machine?)
Er war in einem echten Dilemma: Entweder verdursten oder 4 Euro für eine Cola zahlen!
(He was in a real dilemma: Either die of thirst or pay 4 Euros for a Coke!)
📜 A Little Poem
Zwei Wege liegen vor mir klar,
Doch keiner scheint der rechte, wahr.
Geh ich nach links, tut's später weh,
Geh ich nach rechts, ich Unheil seh'.
Das Dilemma hält mich fest,
Ein unlösbarer, schwerer Test.
Die Wahl ist Qual, die Zeit verrinnt,
Wo ist der Weg, der neu beginnt?
(Two paths lie clearly before me,
But neither seems the right one, truly.
If I go left, it will hurt later on,
If I go right, I see disaster dawn.
The dilemma holds me tight,
An unsolvable, heavy plight.
The choice is torture, time slips away,
Where is the path that starts a new day?)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich zwing dich zur Wahl, doch keine ist gut.
Ich schenke dir Zweifel und raube dir Mut.
Ich habe zwei Seiten, doch keine ist frei.
Was bin ich, sag an, eins, zwei, drei?
(I force you to choose, but no choice is good.
I give you doubt and steal your mood.
I have two sides, but neither is free.
What am I, tell me, one, two, three?)
Solution: Das Dilemma
🌐 More Interesting Facts
Etymology (Word Origin):
The word "Dilemma" comes from Greek: dílemma (δίλημμα), meaning roughly “two-fold assumption.” It is composed of:
- di- (δι-): meaning "two" or "double"
- lêmma (λῆμμα): meaning "assumption," "premise," or "proposition"
Originally in logic and rhetoric, it referred to an argument forcing a choice between two premises, both leading to an (often undesirable) conclusion.
Summary: is it der, die or das Dilemma?
The German word "Dilemma" is always neuter, so the correct article is das Dilemma. It describes a predicament or a difficult choice between two undesirable options.