das  Streben

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtʁeːbən/

🎯 What does 'das Streben' mean?

Das Streben (neuter, genitive: des Strebens, plural: rarely used, often 'die Strebungen') refers to a continuous, goal-oriented effort, desire, or urge to achieve or realize something specific. It is the nominalization (making a noun) of the verb streben (to strive).

It often expresses an inner drive, ambition, or aspiration. One can strive for knowledge (nach Wissen streben), success (nach Erfolg streben), happiness (nach Glück streben), power (nach Macht streben), or perfection (nach Perfektion streben).

• Meaning 1: Sustained effort, aspiration, ambition (e.g., das Streben nach Glück - the pursuit of happiness)
• Meaning 2 (rarer, technical): A supporting or bracing component (here usually die Strebe, plural die Streben, but 'das Streben' as the entirety of supports is conceivable). ⚠️ Be careful: The noun 'die Strebe' (f.) is more common for the structural component.

Mostly, 'das Streben' is used in an abstract sense.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Streben' in Detail

'Das Streben' is a nominalized verb and therefore neuter (sächlich). It is mostly used in the singular.

Example Sentences ✍️

1. Das Streben nach Wissen ist ein lebenslanger Prozess. (The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong process.)
2. Sein ganzes Streben galt dem Wohl seiner Familie. (His entire striving was dedicated to the well-being of his family.)
3. Philosophen diskutieren oft über das Streben nach Glückseligkeit. (Philosophers often discuss the striving for bliss/happiness.)
4. Das Streben nach Perfektion kann auch belastend sein. (Striving for perfection can also be burdensome.)

💡 How is 'das Streben' used?

'Das Streben' is mainly used to express a sustained, often idealistic or ambitious desire or effort. It carries a somewhat elevated connotation.

• Typical Contexts: Philosophy, psychology, literature, personal development, description of goals and motivation.
• Usage: Often used with 'nach' + Dativ (das Streben nach etwas - striving for something). Examples: das Streben nach Freiheit (striving for freedom), das Streben nach Anerkennung (striving for recognition), das Streben nach Macht (striving for power).
• Differentiation:
  • Die Bemühung (effort): More concrete, refers to a specific exertion.
  • Der Ehrgeiz (ambition): More focused on personal success and recognition, can have negative connotations.
  • Die Bestrebung (endeavor, aspiration): Very similar, perhaps slightly more formal.
  • Die Sehnsucht (longing, yearning): More emotional, expresses a strong desire, often for something unattainable or past.
• Technical Context: As mentioned, for a single structural component, 'die Strebe' (feminine) is more common. 'Das Streben' could theoretically refer to the system of struts, but this is unusual.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Streben'

For the article 'das': Nouns formed from verbs (nominalized infinitives) in German are almost always neuter (sächlich): das Laufen (the running), das Essen (the eating), das Schlafen (the sleeping), and thus also das Streben. Think: What is one doing? One does DAS (the) striving.

For the meaning 'striving/aspiration': Imagine someone constantly reaching (like stretching = strecken) for a goal just above 'n beyond (stre-ben) – this constant reaching is das Streben.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for 'das Streben'

⚠️ Potential Confusion: Don't confuse with die Strebe (f., strut, brace) or the verb sterben (to die).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat der Ehrgeizige immer kalte Füße? Weil sein ganzes Streben nach oben geht!

English: Why does the ambitious person always have cold feet? Because all his striving (Streben) goes upwards!

📜 Poem about Striving (das Streben)

German:
Das Streben, ein Funke, tief im Sein,
nach Höherem, nach Sonnenschein.
Es treibt uns voran, durch Nacht und Tag,
\ein endloser, oft mühsamer Pfad.
Mal sanft, mal wild, die innere Kraft,
die Neues sucht und Besseres schafft.

English Translation:
Striving, a spark, deep in our being,
for higher things, for sunshine seeing.
It drives us forward, through night and day,
an endless, often arduous way.
Sometimes gentle, sometimes wild, the inner might,
that seeks the new and creates what's right/better.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich habe kein Ende, doch ein klares Ziel,
ich koste Anstrengung, oft sehr viel.
Man sucht mich in Weisheit, Glück oder Macht,
ich bin der Motor, der Großes vollbracht.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I have no end, yet a clear goal in sight,
I cost effort, often with all might.
People seek me in wisdom, happiness, or power,
I am the engine that brings the finest hour.

What am I?

Solution: Das Streben (Striving/Aspiration)

🧩 Other Information

• Word Origin: 'Das Streben' comes from the Old High German verb 'streben', which originally meant 'to make oneself stiff', 'to tower up', but also 'to exert oneself'. The connection to effort and goal orientation prevailed.
• Related Words: anstrebenswert (desirable), zielstrebig (determined, focused), aufstrebend (aspiring, up-and-coming).
• Philosophical Significance: The concept of striving (Streben) is central to many philosophical and ethical systems (e.g., Aristotle's striving for Eudaimonia, Spinoza's 'Conatus').