das  Misstrauen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/mɪsˈtʁaʊ̯ən/

🤔 What exactly does Misstrauen mean?

Das Misstrauen describes a feeling of doubt, skepticism, or a lack of trust towards a person, situation, or piece of information. It's the expectation or suspicion that someone might be dishonest, have hidden motives, or that something isn't as it seems. It is an abstract noun and exclusively uses the article das.

It is the opposite of trust (das Vertrauen).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Misstrauen

Das Misstrauen is an uncountable, abstract noun. It is normally only used in the singular. Here is the declension:

⚠️ Note: A plural form for Misstrauen does not exist, as it describes an abstract concept.

Example Sentences

• Sein ständiges Misstrauen belastet die Beziehung. (His constant distrust puts a strain on the relationship.)
• Die Ursache des Misstrauens lag in früheren Enttäuschungen. (The cause of the distrust lay in past disappointments.)
• Mit tiefem Misstrauen betrachtete sie das Angebot. (She regarded the offer with deep distrust.)
• Er konnte sein Misstrauen nicht überwinden. (He couldn't overcome his distrust.)

💡 How to use Misstrauen correctly

Misstrauen is used to express a lack of trust. It can relate to people, institutions, information, or situations.

• Personal relationships: Misstrauen can severely strain or destroy relationships.
• Politics & Society: Misstrauen towards politicians or institutions is a common phenomenon.
• Business world: In business, Misstrauen can complicate negotiations.

Typical Collocations (Word Combinations):

• Misstrauen hegen/nähren: To harbour/nurture distrust.
• Misstrauen säen: To sow distrust (actively causing doubt and suspicion in others).
• jemandem Misstrauen entgegenbringen: To show distrust towards someone.
• tiefes/grundlegendes Misstrauen: Deep/fundamental distrust.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Zweifel (der): Doubt; uncertainty or indecision, not necessarily directed negatively towards a person.
• Skepsis (die): Skepticism; a critical, questioning attitude, often less emotional than Misstrauen.
• Argwohn (der): Suspicion; strong, often well-founded distrust.

🧠 Mnemonics for Misstrauen

Article Mnemonic: Remember: Misstrauen is a feeling – just like das Gefühl (the feeling) itself, das Glück (happiness), das Pech (bad luck). Many abstract feelings are neuter (das) in German. Therefore: das Misstrauen.

Meaning Mnemonic: The prefix "Miss-" often signifies something negative or wrong (like in mistake, misunderstanding). "Trauen" means to trust. So, "Misstrauen" is like "wrong trust" or simply a lack of trust / dis-trust.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Misstrauen

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential for Confusion):

• Vorsicht (die): Caution, care; carefulness to avoid danger or harm. Unlike Misstrauen, Vorsicht isn't necessarily related to a person or their intentions, but rather to a potential danger.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum nehmen Skelette kein Misstrauen mit auf Partys? Weil sie kein Bauchgefühl haben!

English: Why don't skeletons take distrust (Misstrauen) to parties? Because they don't have a gut feeling! (Note: Bauchgefühl literally means 'stomach feeling' and is the German equivalent of 'gut feeling')

📜 Poem about Misstrauen

German:
Ein Schatten schleicht, wo Licht einst war,
Das Misstrauen, kalt und unnahbar.
Es nagt am Band, das einst verband,
Flüstert Zweifel, Hand in Hand.
Wo Offenheit die Blüte trieb,
Herrscht nun ein leiser, kalter Hieb.
Ein schwerer Gast im Herzenshaus,
Treibt Wärme und Vertrauen aus.

English Translation:
A shadow creeps where light once shone,
Distrust, so cold and all alone.
It gnaws the tie that used to bind,
Whispers doubts within the mind.
Where openness once bloomed so free,
A silent, chilling blow we see.
A heavy guest within the heart's domain,
Drives warmth and trust out in the rain.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Gefühl, doch keine Freud'.
Ich sehe Gefahr, wo keine droht, vielleicht.
Ich zweifle an Worten, an Blick, an Gestalt.
Vertrauen ist warm, doch ich mache oft kalt.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: Das Misstrauen

English Translation:
I am a feeling, but bring no joy.
I might see danger where none is employed.
I doubt the words, the look, the form.
Trust can be warm, but I often make cold the norm.

What am I?
Answer: Distrust (Das Misstrauen)

📎 Other Information

Word Composition:

Das Misstrauen is composed of:

• The prefix "Miss-": This prefix often expresses something negative, erroneous, or the opposite (e.g., Misserfolg - failure, Missverständnis - misunderstanding).
• The root word "Trauen": This is the basis of the verb "trauen" (to trust) or the noun "das Trauen" (archaic for trust).

Thus, Misstrauen literally means something like "lacking trust" or "wrong trust". It is the nominalization of the verb "misstrauen" (to distrust).