das  Scheitern

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃaɪtɐn/

🤔 What Exactly Does "das Scheitern" Mean?

Das Scheitern is a German noun meaning failure or the act of failing. It refers to the lack of success or the failure of a project, plan, exam, or effort. It's the nominalization of the verb scheitern (to fail, to miscarry).

It's an abstract noun describing the state or process of failing. As an abstract concept, it is mostly used in the singular.

Examples of situations where "Scheitern" is used:

• A Projekt (project) that isn't successfully completed.
• A Beziehung (relationship) that ends.
• An Prüfung (exam) that is not passed.
• A Unternehmen (company) that files for bankruptcy.

⚠️ It generally has a negative connotation, but in modern contexts (e.g., start-up culture), it's sometimes seen as a necessary step for learning and subsequent improvement.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declension of Scheitern

Das Scheitern is a neuter noun. It is typically used only in the singular because it describes an abstract concept. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Singular

A plural form ("die Scheitern") is very uncommon and would only be used in highly specific, often philosophical or literary contexts to refer to different types or instances of failure. It's practically nonexistent in everyday language.

Example Sentences

1. Das Scheitern des Projekts war für alle eine Enttäuschung.
   (The failure of the project was a disappointment for everyone.)
2. Trotz des drohenden Scheiterns gaben sie nicht auf.
   (Despite the impending failure, they didn't give up.)
3. Er musste sich nach dem Scheitern neu orientieren.
   (He had to reorient himself after the failure.)
4. Sie akzeptierte das Scheitern als Teil des Lernprozesses.
   (She accepted the failure as part of the learning process.)
5. Das Projekt ist am Widerstand der Anwohner gescheitert.
   (The project failed due to the resistance of the residents. - Verb form with preposition 'an' + Dative)

💡 How is "das Scheitern" Used?

Das Scheitern is used to describe the outcome or process of a failure. It can relate to a wide variety of areas:

• Professional/Academic: The Scheitern of a project, an exam, an application, an experiment.
• Personal: The Scheitern of a relationship, a personal goal, an attempt to break a bad habit.
• Social/Political: The Scheitern of negotiations, reforms, a political movement.

It's often used with prepositions, especially in connection with the verb scheitern an (+ Dativ), to indicate the reason for failure:

• Das Scheitern an den hohen Anforderungen. (Failure due to the high demands.)
• Das Scheitern an mangelnder Finanzierung. (Failure due to lack of funding.)

Compared to synonyms like Misserfolg or Fehlschlag, Scheitern can often imply a more definitive or serious character, although the words are frequently interchangeable. Niederlage (defeat) is more commonly used in the context of competition or conflict.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Scheitern

Similar but Misleading Words

• Scheitel (der): Hair parting or crest/peak (e.g., of a wave).
• Scheiterhaufen (der): Pyre, historically for executions by burning.
• scheu (adjective): Shy, timid.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Besen beim Rennen verloren?

Weil er immer nur kehrt gemacht hat!

(Translation: Why did the broom lose the race? Because it kept turning back! - "kehrt machen" means to turn back, but "kehren" also means to sweep.)

📜 A Poem on the Topic

Manchmal plant man groß und weit,
strebt nach Ziel in Emsigkeit.
Doch kommt der Wind, die raue See,
tut das Scheitern bitter weh.

Doch aus dem Staub, dem Fall, dem Schmerz,
wächst oft ein neues, starkes Herz.
Man lernt, steht auf, versucht es neu,
bleibt seiner Hoffnung dennoch treu.

Translation:

Sometimes one plans grand and wide,
Strives for goals with busy stride.
But comes the wind, the rough sea's blow,
Then failure brings bitter woe.

But from the dust, the fall, the pain,
Often a new, strong heart will gain.
One learns, gets up, tries anew,
Remaining to one's hopes still true.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin das Ende mancher Müh',
das Gegenteil von Utopie.
Mal laut, mal leise komm ich her,
mach Pläne zunicht', fall oft schwer.
Ich bin kein Sieg, kein großer Fund,
man lernt aus mir zu mancher Stund'.

Was bin ich?

(Solution: das Scheitern)

Translation:

I am the end of many an effort,
The opposite of utopia's comfort.
Sometimes loud, sometimes quiet I appear,
Destroying plans, often causing a tear.
I am no victory, no great find,
But lessons from me, you can often find.

What am I?

(Solution: failure / das Scheitern)

🌐 Other Interesting Aspects

• Word Formation: Das Scheitern is a nominalization (substantivization) of the verb scheitern. Such nominalizations in German are always neuter (das).
• Verb: The corresponding verb scheitern is often used with the preposition an + Dative case to indicate the reason for failure: "Er ist an der Aufgabe gescheitert." (He failed at the task / because of the task.)
• Cultural View: The perception of Scheitern differs culturally. While heavily stigmatized in some cultures, it is viewed in others (e.g., often in the US start-up scene) as a necessary part of the innovation and learning process ("Fail fast, fail often").