das  Vertrauen

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈtʁaʊ̯ən/

🤝 What does "das Vertrauen" mean?

Das Vertrauen (noun, neuter) means trust or confidence. It refers to the firm belief in the reliability, honesty, or ability of a person or thing. It's a feeling of security and being able to rely on someone or something.

It's derived from the verb vertrauen (to trust someone/something).

Unlike der Glaube (belief/faith), Vertrauen is often based on experience or observed consistency, although it can also involve an element of belief, especially regarding future behaviour.

⚠️ Important: Vertrauen is an abstract concept, so it's mostly used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: das Vertrauen

The noun "Vertrauen" is neuter and takes the article "das". It's what's called a Singularetantum, meaning it usually doesn't have a plural form. Theoretically, if you were talking about different types of trust, you could form a plural ("die Vertrauen"), but this is very uncommon.

Declension (Singular):

Example Sentences 📝

1. Das Vertrauen zwischen den Partnern ist sehr stark. (The trust between the partners is very strong.)
2. Sie schenkte ihm blindes Vertrauen. (She gave him blind trust.)
3. Der Verlust des Vertrauens war schmerzhaft. (The loss of trust was painful.)
4. Ich habe großes Vertrauen in deine Fähigkeiten. (I have great confidence in your abilities.)
5. Man muss sich Vertrauen erst verdienen. (One has to earn trust first.)

💡 How to use "das Vertrauen"?

"Das Vertrauen" is used in many contexts:

• Personal relationships: Trust is the foundation of friendships, family, and partnerships. (e.g., "Vertrauen ist das Fundament unserer Ehe." - Trust is the foundation of our marriage.)
• Professional environment: Trust between colleagues, superiors and employees, or with business partners and customers is essential. (e.g., "Wir bauen auf das Vertrauen unserer Kunden." - We build on the trust of our customers.)
• Society & Politics: Citizens' trust in institutions, the government, or the media. (e.g., "Das Vertrauen in die Politik ist gesunken." - Trust in politics has decreased.)
• Self-confidence: Trust in one's own abilities and strengths. (e.g., "Er hat viel Selbstvertrauen." - He has a lot of self-confidence. - often used as the compound noun Selbstvertrauen)

Typical Collocations:

• Vertrauen haben (in + Accusative) - to have trust (in)
• Vertrauen schenken (+ Dative) - to give trust (to), place trust (in)
• Vertrauen genießen - to enjoy trust
• Vertrauen missbrauchen - to abuse trust
• Vertrauen aufbauen / gewinnen / verlieren - to build / gain / lose trust
• blindes Vertrauen - blind trust
• gegenseitiges Vertrauen - mutual trust

Distinction from "Glaube": While der Glaube (belief/faith) is often religious or based on convictions without proof, das Vertrauen usually implies an expectation based on experience or perceived reliability.

🧠 Memory Aids for "das Vertrauen"

Here are a couple of mnemonics:

Article "das": Many abstract nouns in German describing a concept or feeling are neuter ("das"). Think of: Das Gefühl (feeling), das Glück (happiness), das Leid (suffering), das Wissen (knowledge)... and also das Vertrauen. It's something abstract, intangible, hence "das".

Meaning "Trust": Imagine you have to entrust something valuable to someone. You need the security (das Gefühl) that this person will handle it reliably (traulich). That feeling is das Vertrauen. The English word "true" sounds a bit like "trau" - you trust someone who is true.

🔁 Synonyms & Antonyms for "das Vertrauen"

🚨 Caution: Words like Sicherheit (security) can be similar in context but don't mean exactly the same. Security can result from trust, but isn't synonymous.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, kannst du mir einen Satz mit 'Vertrauen' bilden?"
Fritzchen: "Ich vertraue darauf, dass die Schule morgen ausfällt!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, can you make a sentence with 'Vertrauen' (trust)?"
Fritzchen: "I trust that there will be no school tomorrow!"

📜 Poem about Trust

Das Vertrauen, zart und fein,
lässt Freundschaft tief verwurzelt sein.
Ein Band, das hält in Sturm und Not,
stärker als jedes Verbot.

Man schenkt es nicht leichtfertig her,
es wächst und braucht viel Zeit, fürwahr.
Doch ist es einmal fest geknüpft,
dem Herzen Glück und Halt entschlüpft.

Translation:
Trust, delicate and fine,
lets friendship be deeply rooted.
A bond that holds in storm and need,
stronger than any decree.

One doesn't give it away lightly,
it grows and needs much time, indeed.
But once it's firmly tied,
happiness and support slip from the heart [meaning: are given by the heart].

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin unsichtbar, doch sehr stark.
Man kann mich schenken, Tag für Tag.
Verliere ich mich, tut es weh,
ich bin die Basis, wie man's seh'.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am invisible, yet very strong.
You can give me as a gift, day by day.
If I get lost, it hurts,
I am the foundation, as one can see.

What am I?

Solution: Das Vertrauen (Trust)

✨ More Information

Word Family:

• Verb: vertrauen (to trust; e.g., "Ich vertraue dir." - I trust you.)
• Adjective: vertrauensvoll (trusting, trustful; e.g., "ein vertrauensvolles Gespräch" - a trustful conversation)
• Adjective: vertrauenswürdig (trustworthy; e.g., "Er ist ein vertrauenswürdiger Partner." - He is a trustworthy partner.)
• Adjective: vertraulich (confidential; e.g., "vertrauliche Informationen" - confidential information - means more secret/private)
• Noun: Selbstvertrauen (self-confidence)
• Noun: Vertrauensbruch (breach of trust)
• Noun: Vertrauensperson (person of trust, confidant(e))

Origin: The word comes from the Old High German "fertrūēn", meaning roughly "to believe firmly, to rely on".