das  Erwarten

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛʁˈvaʁtn̩/

🤔 What does "das Erwarten" mean?

Das Erwarten is the nominalization (Substantivierung) of the verb erwarten (to expect, to await). It describes the state or process of waiting for someone or something, often combined with a certain idea or hope about what will happen. It's a neuter noun (Neutrum).

• Meaning 1: The state or act of waiting, anticipation. Example: Das lange Erwarten am Bahnhof war ermüdend. (The long waiting at the train station was tiring.)
• Meaning 2: The attitude or feeling of expectation. Example: Sein ganzes Leben war von einem ständigen Erwarten geprägt. (His whole life was characterized by constant expectation/anticipation.)

⚠️ It's often used in the singular and describes the general state of waiting or expecting, whereas die Erwartung (feminine) is more commonly used for a concrete, specific expectation or hope (e.g., Meine Erwartungen wurden übertroffen. - My expectations were exceeded.).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Erwarten"

Das Erwarten is a nominalized verb (infinitive) and therefore always neuter (sächlich). It's typically only used in the singular because it describes an abstract state or process.

Declension (Singular)

A plural form (die Erwarten) is grammatically possible but extremely rare and uncommon in standard German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das ständige Erwarten von Nachrichten machte ihn nervös.
   (The constant waiting for news made him nervous.)
2. Ich bin des langen Erwartens müde.
   (I am tired of the long waiting. - slightly formal/poetic)
3. Wir sehen dem Erwarten des Ergebnisses entgegen.
   (We look forward to the awaiting of the result.)
4. Er hasste das passive Erwarten und wollte handeln.
   (He hated the passive waiting/expectation and wanted to act.)

💡 How to use "das Erwarten"?

Das Erwarten is used to express the process or state of waiting or anticipation, often in a more general or abstract sense.

• Typical Contexts: Descriptions of waiting periods, states of uncertainty, or the feeling of anticipation.
• Difference from "die Erwartung": While das Erwarten emphasizes the process (the waiting for something), die Erwartung (feminine, plural: die Erwartungen) usually refers to what is expected – the hope, the assumption, the demand (e.g., hohe Erwartungen haben - to have high expectations).
• Example: Das Erwarten der Gäste dauerte Stunden (the process of waiting for the guests). Die Erwartung der Gäste war ein gutes Essen (what they hoped for).
• Formal/Literary: Can sometimes sound a bit more formal or literary than simply using "das Warten" (the waiting).

🧠 Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic: Nouns formed from infinitives (like Laufen, Sprechen, Essen) are almost always neuter (das) in German. So, it's das Erwarten. Think: "Das waiting and das hoping is das Erwarten."

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you are warting (sounds like 'wart'en) for something important. This state, the feeling that something is coming – that's "das Erwarten". It's the process.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for das Erwarten

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Erwarten (verb): The action of expecting (Ich erwarte Post - I expect mail).
• Die Erwartung (feminine): The concrete hope or assumption (Meine Erwartung war hoch - My expectation was high).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Mann am Bahnhof gesungen?

Damit das lange Erwarten schneller vergeht und vielleicht die Zeit im Takt mitläuft! 🎶

Why did the man sing at the train station?

So that the long waiting (das Erwarten) would pass more quickly and maybe time would keep pace with the beat! 🎶

📜 Poem about das Erwarten

Die Uhr tickt langsam, Stund' um Stund',
Im Raum macht sich das Warten kund.
Ein Blick zur Tür, ein leiser Seufzer nur,
Das Erwarten folgt der Zeitenspur.
Was kommen mag, liegt noch im Dunkeln,
Doch Hoffnung lässt die Augen funkeln.

The clock ticks slowly, hour by hour,
In the room, waiting makes its power.
A glance at the door, just a soft sigh's sound,
Anticipation (das Erwarten) on time's path is found.
What is to come still lies in haze,
But hope lets the eyes brightly gaze.

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin kein Ding, doch fülle Zeit,
Bin oft mit Hoffnung eng verschneit.
Manchmal bin ich kurz, manchmal lang,
Begleite manchen Neuanfang.

Was bin ich?

I am not a thing, yet I fill time,
I'm often closely linked with hopeful chime.
Sometimes I'm short, sometimes I'm long,
I accompany many a new start's song.

What am I?
(Solution: das Erwarten - the waiting/expectation/anticipation)

🌐 More Info

Word Formation: As mentioned, das Erwarten is a nominalization of the infinitive of the verb erwarten. The prefix er- in German often indicates the achievement of a goal or result (compare: arbeiten - to work vs. erarbeiten - to achieve through work). Here, it implies waiting towards an event.

Cultural Note: The concept of expectation (Erwarten/Erwartung) plays a role in many idioms and cultural contexts, e.g., during Advent (das Erwarten of Christ's arrival) or concerning significant life events.