das
Staunen
😮 What exactly is "das Staunen"?
Das Staunen is a German noun meaning amazement, wonder, or astonishment. It describes the feeling or state of being surprised or impressed by something unexpected, grand, or remarkable.
It's the nominalization (turning into a noun) of the verb staunen (to be amazed, to marvel).
Important: Das Staunen is always neuter (sächlich) and therefore always uses the article "das". There are no other articles for this noun.
Example: Das Staunen der Kinder über den Zaubertrick war groß. (The children's amazement at the magic trick was great.)
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
🧐 Grammar of "das Staunen" in Detail
Das Staunen is a nominalized verb (infinitive used as a noun) and belongs to the group of abstract nouns. It is always neuter (sächlich).
It is mainly used in the singular. A plural form ("die Staunen") is grammatically uncommon and not used in practice.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das Staunen | ein Staunen (amazement) |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des Staunens | eines Staunens (of amazement) |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem Staunen | einem Staunen (to/with amazement) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das Staunen | ein Staunen (amazement) |
💡 Example Sentences
- Sein Gesicht zeigte pures Staunen. (His face showed pure amazement.)
- Trotz des Staunens blieb er ruhig. (Despite the amazement, he remained calm.)
- Mit großem Staunen betrachteten sie das Kunstwerk. (With great amazement, they looked at the artwork.)
- Ich konnte mein Staunen nicht verbergen. (I couldn't hide my astonishment.)
- Die Entdeckung löste allgemeines Staunen aus. (The discovery caused general astonishment.)
🗣️ How to use "das Staunen"?
Das Staunen is used to express a strong reaction of wonder or astonishment. It can relate to positive surprises (like beauty, art, natural wonders) or to unexpected, neutral, or even slightly shocking events.
Typical contexts:
- Reacting to impressive achievements or abilities (beeindruckende Leistungen).
- Describing the effect of art, music, or natural phenomena (Kunst, Musik, Naturphänomene).
- Expressing surprise at unexpected news or developments (unerwartete Nachrichten).
- In childhood: Often as an expression of pure curiosity and wonder about the world (Neugier und Verwunderung).
Common phrases:
- ins Staunen geraten/versetzen: to be amazed / to amaze someone
- sein Staunen ausdrücken/zeigen: to express/show one's amazement
- etwas mit Staunen betrachten/verfolgen: to watch something with amazement
- zum Staunen bringen: to amaze someone
Compared to die Verwunderung (wonder, surprise), das Staunen is often perceived as slightly more intense and can carry a stronger emotional component (often positive, implying admiration). Das Erstaunen (astonishment) is very similar, perhaps emphasizing the unexpected aspect a bit more.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Mnemonic for the Article (das)
Many German nouns formed from verb infinitives are neuter. Think of das Laufen (running), das Schwimmen (swimming), das Essen (eating)... and das Staunen! It fits the pattern. So, das is the one for *Staunen*.
Mnemonic for the Meaning (Amazement)
When you see something amazing, you might be stunned into silence. Stun sounds like the start of Staunen. So, Staunen relates to that feeling of being stunned or amazed.
↔️ Antonyms and Synonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Die Verwunderung: Wonder, surprise (general term).
- Das Erstaunen: Astonishment (strong surprise, often due to the unexpected).
- Die Bewunderung: Admiration (amazement combined with respect or appreciation).
- Die Verblüffung: Bafflement, stupefaction (sudden, speechless astonishment).
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Die Gleichgültigkeit: Indifference.
- Das Desinteresse: Lack of interest.
- Die Langeweile: Boredom.
- Die Blasiertheit: Blaséness, jadedness (indifference from feeling you've seen it all).
⚠️ Similar, but Misleading Words
😂 A Little Joke
Der Lehrer fragt: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Verwunderung und Staunen?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Wenn mein Zeugnis gut ist, dann herrscht bei meinen Eltern große Verwunderung. Wenn es sehr gut ist, dann geraten sie ins Staunen!" 😄
Translation:
The teacher asks: "What's the difference between wonder (Verwunderung) and amazement (Staunen)?"
Little Fritz pipes up: "When my report card is good, my parents react with great wonder. When it's very good, they fall into amazement!" 😄
📜 Poem about Amazement
Ein Kind sieht Schmetterlinge fliegen,
Wie sie im Sonnenlicht sich wiegen.
Die Augen weit, der Mund steht offen,
Ein stilles Glück, ein leises Hoffen.
Das Staunen malt sich ins Gesicht,
Ein Zauber, der die Zeit durchbricht.
Die Welt so neu, so wunderbar,
Im Herzen wird ein Wunder wahr.
Translation:
A child sees butterflies fly,
How in the sunlight they sway high.
Eyes wide, mouth open in a trace,
A quiet joy, a soft hope's grace.
Amazement paints itself on the face,
A magic breaking time and space.
The world so new, so wonderful,
A miracle becomes truthful in the heart.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich komme auf, wenn Wunder geschehen,
Wenn Augen Großes, Neues sehen.
Ich öffne Münder, weite Blicke,
Bin sprachlos oft für Augenblicke.
Was bin ich, dieses Gefühl so rein,
oft ausgelöst durch Sonnenschein,
durch Kunst, Magie, ein Sternenzelt?
Lösung: Das Staunen
Translation:
I appear when miracles happen,
When eyes see great, new things then.
I open mouths, widen the gaze,
Am often speechless for a phase.
What am I, this feeling so pure,
Often triggered by sunshine's allure,
By art, magic, a starry sky?
Answer: Amazement / Wonder (Das Staunen)
✨ Other Information
Word Origin (Etymology)
Das Staunen derives directly from the verb staunen. This comes from the Middle High German word stūnen, which originally meant "to become rigid", "to be numb". The meaning evolved towards "to be as if frozen in surprise" and finally to the modern feeling of wonder or amazement.
Related Words
- staunen (verb): to be amazed, to marvel
- erstaunlich (adjective): astonishing, amazing
- erstaunt (past participle / adjective): astonished, surprised
- das Erstaunen (noun): astonishment (synonym of Staunen)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Staunen?
The noun "Staunen", meaning amazement or wonder, is always neuter. Therefore, the correct article is always das Staunen.