das  Ungemach

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʊnɡəˈmaχ/

📜 What does "das Ungemach" mean?

Das Ungemach translates to trouble, adversity, hardship, misfortune, or annoyance. It's a rather elevated and somewhat archaic term for unpleasant situations, suffering, or mishaps.

It's often used to express that someone is facing or threatened by trouble or harm.

🚨 Important: The word is almost exclusively used in the singular and has no common plural form. It is always neuter: das Ungemach.

🧐 Grammar of "das Ungemach" in Detail

The noun "Ungemach" is neuter (sächlich) and takes the article das. It does not have a plural form.

Declension (Singular)

Note: The Genitive and Dative forms ending in "-e" (Ungemaches, Ungemache) are rarer and sound even more elevated or archaic.

Example Sentences

• Der Held musste viel Ungemach überstehen.
  (The hero had to endure much adversity.)
• Wir hoffen, Ihnen kein Ungemach bereitet zu haben.
  (We hope not to have caused you any trouble.)
• Er ahnte nicht, welches Ungemach ihm bevorstand.
  (He had no idea what misfortune awaited him.)
• Trotz allen Ungemachs verlor sie nie den Mut.
  (Despite all the hardship, she never lost courage.)

🗣️ How to use "das Ungemach"?

"Das Ungemach" belongs to elevated language (gehobene Sprache) or is used in a literary or formal context. In everyday spoken German, people are more likely to use synonyms like:

• Ärger (trouble, anger)
• Schwierigkeiten (difficulties)
• Probleme (problems)
• Pech (bad luck)
• Missgeschick (mishap)

It's often used to describe a somewhat vague form of impending or existing trouble or annoyance, often with a slightly dramatic or serious connotation.

Example Contexts:

• In historical narratives or novels.
• In formal speeches to describe difficulties.
• When consciously choosing an elevated or slightly archaic style.

⚠️ Avoid using "Ungemach" in casual everyday conversations, as it might sound stiff or out of place.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Ungemach"

Mnemonic for the Article (das):

Think of abstract troubles or concepts often being neuter in German, like "das Problem" (the problem) or "das Leid" (the suffering). "Das Ungemach" fits this pattern of abstract negativity.

Mnemonic for the Meaning:

"Un-gemach" sounds like "un-comfortable" or perhaps "un-easy muck". It signifies something unpleasant you'd rather avoid – trouble or hardship.

↔️ Opposites and Related Words

Similar, but different words:

Unmut: (Displeasure, resentment) - Refers more to an inner feeling of annoyance or discontent, whereas Ungemach describes external difficulties or troubles.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Pessimist immer Recht?
(Why is the pessimist always right?)

Weil er jedes kleine Ungemach schon als die nächste große Katastrophe ankündigt – irgendwann trifft's ja zu!
(Because he announces every little trouble as the next big catastrophe – eventually, he'll be right!)

📜 A Poem about "das Ungemach"

Ein Schatten legt sich, schwer und sacht,
(A shadow falls, heavy and soft,)
es naht heran, das Ungemach.
(It approaches, the adversity.)
Ein Stolperstein auf glattem Pfad,
(A stumbling block on a smooth path,)
verdirbt die Freude, früh und spat.
(Spoils the joy, early and late.)

Doch wer mit Mut dem Sturm begegnet,
(But whoever faces the storm with courage,)
und nicht verzagt, wenn's Ungemach regnet,
(And doesn't despair when hardship rains,)
find't oft am Ende, sonnenklar,
(Often finds in the end, clear as day,)
dass Stärke auch im Leiden war.
(That strength was also found in suffering.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme oft ungelegen,
(I often come at inconvenient times,)
bin Kummer, Sorge, selten Segen.
(Am grief, worry, rarely a blessing.)
Man wünscht mich niemals herbei,
(One never wishes for me,)
bin Ärger oder Schererei.
(Am trouble or bother.)
Ich hab kein Mehrzahl, bleib allein,
(I have no plural, remain alone,)
bin sächlich, niemals groß noch klein.
(Am neuter, never big nor small.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Auflösung / Solution: Das Ungemach

ℹ️ Further Information

Word Composition:

The word "Ungemach" is composed of the prefix "Un-" (which expresses negation or opposition) and the old word "Gemach". "Gemach" originally meant comfort, ease, tranquility, or also a chamber/room. Thus, "Ungemach" literally means the opposite of comfort and ease – precisely discomfort, trouble, annoyance.

Style Level:

As mentioned, "Ungemach" is a word of the elevated or formal written register (gehobene Sprache / Schriftsprache). It lends a certain seriousness or a slightly archaic quality to the statement.