das
Gewissen
🤔 What does "das Gewissen" mean?
Das Gewissen is the German word for conscience. It refers to the inner sense or feeling of what is morally right or wrong. It's the internal faculty that judges actions and intentions according to ethical standards.
- It guides us in decisions and can lead to feelings like guilt (ein schlechtes Gewissen - a bad conscience) or satisfaction (ein gutes Gewissen - a clear/good conscience).
- It's a key concept in philosophy, ethics, psychology, and religion.
The word only exists as das Gewissen (neuter gender).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
🧐 Grammar of "das Gewissen" in Detail
"Das Gewissen" is a neuter noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.
Declension Table
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Gewissen |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Gewissens |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Gewissen |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Gewissen |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gewissen |
| Genitive | der | Gewissen |
| Dative | den | Gewissen |
| Accusative | die | Gewissen |
Note: The plural form "die Gewissen" is very rare and typically used only in philosophical or poetic contexts (e.g., “the consciences of the nations”).
Example Sentences 📝
- Er handelte gegen sein Gewissen.
(He acted against his conscience.) - Ein reines Gewissen ist ein sanftes Ruhekissen.
(A clear conscience is a soft pillow - German proverb.) - Er folgte der Stimme seines Gewissens.
(He followed the voice of his conscience.) - Ich muss meinem Gewissen folgen.
(I must follow my conscience.)
🗣️ How to use "das Gewissen"?
"Das Gewissen" is used to describe a person's inner moral compass.
Typical Contexts:
- Moral decisions: When discussing right or wrong actions ("Er hat eine Gewissensentscheidung getroffen." - He made a decision based on conscience.).
- Feelings of guilt: Often combined with "schlecht" (bad) or "belastet" (burdened) ("Sie hatte ein schlechtes Gewissen." - She had a guilty conscience.).
- Justification/Peace of mind: Often combined with "rein" (pure/clear) or "gut" (good) ("Er hat ein reines Gewissen." - He has a clear conscience.).
- Idioms:
- etwas auf dem Gewissen haben: to be guilty/responsible for something.
- sein Gewissen erleichtern: to ease one's conscience (e.g., by confessing).
- jemandem ins Gewissen reden: to appeal to someone's conscience, to talk sense into someone.
- Handeln wider besseres Wissen und Gewissen: to act against one's better knowledge and conscience.
Unlike pure "das Wissen" (knowledge of facts), "das Gewissen" specifically relates to moral judgment.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic (das):
Think of it as "the inner knowledge". Neuter nouns ending in "-en" that aren't people and derive from verbs (like here from "wissen" with the prefix "Ge-") are often neuter (das). Das Wissen (knowledge) about right/wrong is das Gewissen.
Meaning Mnemonic:
Imagine your brain (Gehirn) has a special section for Wissen (knowledge) about morality – that's your Gewissen. When you do something, this section checks: Good 👍 or Bad 👎? The feeling you get afterwards comes from your Gewissen. It's like having *wisdom* (Wissen) about your *genesis* (Ge-) of actions.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Moralempfinden: Moral sense/feeling.
- Sittliches Bewusstsein: Moral awareness.
- Pflichtgefühl: Sense of duty (can be part of conscience).
- Verantwortungsbewusstsein: Sense of responsibility.
- Innere Stimme: Inner voice (metaphor for the guiding function).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Gewissenlosigkeit: Lack of conscience, unscrupulousness.
- Skrupellosigkeit: Unscrupulousness, lack of moral scruples.
- Amoralität: Amorality (state without moral standards, not necessarily actively evil, but without conscience).
⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):
- Wissen (das): Knowledge, factual information. Not morally judgmental.
- Bewusstsein (das): Consciousness, awareness. Can relate to conscience ("moralisches Bewusstsein"), but is broader.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Warum hat der Dieb immer ein gutes Gewissen?
Weil er es nie benutzt!
English: Why does the thief always have a clear conscience?
Because he never uses it!
✒️ Poem about Conscience
German:
Tief in uns, da wohnt ein Rat,
mal leise mahnend, mal sehr grad.
Es flüstert leis', was recht und gut,
gibt uns den Sinn, gibt uns den Mut.
Mal drückt es schwer, wenn falsch getan,
mal leicht und frei auf rechter Bahn.
Das Gewissen, hör gut auf es,
es ist der Kompass unsres Wegs.
English Translation:
Deep inside us, counsel resides,
Sometimes gently warning, sometimes straight it guides.
It whispers softly what is right and good,
Gives us meaning, gives us fortitude.
Sometimes it weighs heavy, when wrong is done,
Sometimes light and free on the right path run.
The Conscience, listen closely now,
It is the compass for our journey's vow.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich spreche laut zu dir.
Ich habe keine Augen, doch ich sehe dein Tun hier.
Manchmal bin ich rein und leicht, manchmal schwer wie Blei.
Handle gut, dann bin ich ruhig, handle schlecht, dann schreit's in mir.
Was bin ich?
English:
I have no voice, yet I speak loudly to you.
I have no eyes, yet I see what you do.
Sometimes I am clear and light, sometimes heavy as lead.
Act well, and I am calm; act badly, then I scream in your head.
What am I?
Solution: Das Gewissen (The Conscience)
🌐 More about "das Gewissen"
Word Origin (Etymology):
The word "Gewissen" is formed from the verb "wissen" (to know) with the prefix "Ge-". The prefix "Ge-" here often indicates a collection or state. It originally meant something like "co-knowledge", "inner knowledge" or "awareness", especially in the moral sense.
German: Das Wort "Gewissen" ist eine Bildung zum Verb "wissen" mit dem Präfix "Ge-". Es bedeutete ursprünglich so viel wie "Mitwissen", "inneres Wissen" oder "Bewusstsein", insbesondere im moralischen Sinne.
Philosophical Significance:
Conscience (das Gewissen) is a central topic in ethics. Philosophers like Immanuel Kant emphasized its importance for human autonomy and morality. There's ongoing debate whether conscience is innate or learned.
German: Das Gewissen ist ein zentrales Thema in der Ethik. Philosophen wie Immanuel Kant haben seine Bedeutung für die menschliche Autonomie und Moralität betont. Es wird oft diskutiert, ob das Gewissen angeboren oder erlernt ist.
Summary: is it der, die or das Gewissen?
The German word "Gewissen" is always neuter. The correct article is das Gewissen. It refers to the inner moral sense, or conscience.