das  Selbstwertgefühl

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/zɛlpstˈvɛʁtɡəˌfyːl/

💖 What does "das Selbstwertgefühl" mean?

Das Selbstwertgefühl (noun, neuter) describes a person's feeling or conviction regarding their own worth. It's the subjective evaluation of one's own personality, abilities, and appearance. In English, it translates to self-esteem or self-worth. A healthy Selbstwertgefühl is important for psychological well-being.

There is only one article for this word: "das". It's an abstract noun referring to an inner feeling.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Selbstwertgefühl

The word "Selbstwertgefühl" is a neuter noun (sächlich). Here is the declension in the singular. A plural form is rarely used as it's an abstract concept.

Note: The plural ("die Selbstwertgefühle") is very uncommon and mostly used in specific psychological or sociological contexts to describe different types or manifestations of self-esteem.

Example Sentences

• Ein gesundes Selbstwertgefühl ist die Basis für Erfolg.
  (A healthy self-esteem is the basis for success.)
• Er leidet unter einem geringen Selbstwertgefühl.
  (He suffers from low self-esteem.)
• Durch die Therapie konnte sie ihr Selbstwertgefühl stärken.
  (Through therapy, she was able to strengthen her self-esteem.)
• Die Entwicklung des Selbstwertgefühls beginnt in der Kindheit.
  (The development of self-esteem begins in childhood.)

💡 How to use "Selbstwertgefühl"?

"Das Selbstwertgefühl" is mainly used in contexts related to psychology, personal growth, emotions, and social interactions.

• Psychology & Therapy: To describe a person's mental state (e.g., "geringes/hohes Selbstwertgefühl" - low/high self-esteem).
• Everyday Language: To express how someone thinks or feels about themselves.
• Education & Upbringing: In connection with the development of children and adolescents.

It is often combined with adjectives like stark (strong), schwach (weak), gesund (healthy), gering (low), hoch (high), niedrig (low), angeknackst (damaged/cracked), übersteigert (excessive/inflated).

Distinction from similar terms:

• Selbstvertrauen (self-confidence): Refers more to the confidence in one's own abilities to handle specific tasks.
• Selbstachtung (self-respect): Similar to Selbstwertgefühl, but emphasizes respect for oneself more.
• Selbstbewusstsein (self-awareness / self-assurance): Can mean both awareness of oneself (self-knowledge) and appearing confident.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article "das": Think of "das Gefühl" (the feeling). Selbstwertgefühl is a type of feeling, and many feeling-related nouns in German are neuter (das Gefühl, das Glück - happiness, das Leid - suffering). So: das Gefühl -> das Selbstwertgefühl.

For the meaning: Break down the word: Selbst (self) + Wert (worth/value) + Gefühl (feeling). It's the feeling of one's own worth as a self.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Selbstwertgefühl

⚠️ Caution: While Selbstvertrauen (self-confidence) is often used synonymously, it specifically refers to confidence in one's actions and abilities, whereas Selbstwertgefühl concerns the general value of the person.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Therapeut: "Und wie steht es um Ihr Selbstwertgefühl?"
Patient: "Ach, wissen Sie, es ist wie mit meinem Bankkonto – meistens im Minus, aber ich rede mir ein, dass es bald besser wird!" 😉

English: The therapist asks: "And how is your self-esteem?"
Patient: "Oh, you know, it's like my bank account – mostly negative, but I keep telling myself it will get better soon!" 😉

✍️ A Poem on the Topic

German:
Das Gefühl, tief innen drin,
Gibt dem Leben seinen Sinn.
Nicht Gold, nicht Schein, nicht lauter Klang,
Macht den Selbstwert lebenslang.

Es ist der Blick, der freundlich ruht,
Auf dem, was man ist und tut.
Ein leises Ja zur eignen Kraft,
Das Mut und Zuversicht erschafft.

English Translation:
The feeling, deep down inside,
Gives life its meaning, where hopes reside.
Not gold, not looks, not sounds so loud,
Makes self-worth last within the crowd.

It is the gaze, that kindly rests,
On who one is, through life's own tests.
A quiet yes to one's own might,
That creates courage, shining bright.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Gefühl, nicht leicht zu fassen,
man kann mich stärken oder sinken lassen.
Ich sag' dir, was du von dir hältst,
ohne mich du leichter fällst.
Man braucht mich sehr im Leben,
um nach Höherem zu streben.

Was bin ich?
... Das Selbstwertgefühl

English Translation:
I am a feeling, not easy to grasp,
you can strengthen me or let me lapse.
I tell you what you think of you,
without me, falling is easy to do.
You need me much throughout your life,
to strive for higher things, beyond the strife.

What am I?
... Self-esteem (Das Selbstwertgefühl)

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word "Selbstwertgefühl" is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of three parts:

• Selbst-: Refers to oneself (pronoun/prefix).
• Wert: Refers to inner or outer worth, value, significance.
• Gefühl: Refers to an emotion or feeling.

Together, it literally means the "feeling of one's own worth".

Cultural Notes (Kulturelles):

The concept of Selbstwertgefühl is a central theme in Western psychology and self-help literature. However, its importance and expression can vary culturally.