das  Weh

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/veː/

💔 What does "das Weh" mean?

Das Weh is a German neuter noun describing a state of physical or emotional pain, ache, suffering, or woe. It's often a slightly more elevated or general term for pain compared to 'der Schmerz'.

• Physical Pain: An ache or painful sensation in the body (e.g., das Zahnweh – toothache, often in compound words).
• Emotional Pain/Grief: Deep suffering, sorrow, or grief (e.g., das Weh der Trennung – the sorrow of separation).
• Exclamation: Often used in exclamations like "Oh Weh!" (Oh dear! / Alas!) or "Weh mir!" (Woe is me!) to express regret, pain, or dismay.

🚨 Attention: The plural word "die Wehen" specifically refers to labor contractions during childbirth. "Das Weh" in the sense of general pain is mostly used in the singular.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: das Weh

"Das Weh" is a neuter noun. It's frequently used in the singular, especially when referring to general pain or sorrow.

Singular Declension

The plural "die Wehe" or "die Wehen" is rare for general pain but common for labor pains.

Example Sentences

1. Nach dem Sturz spürte er ein starkes Weh im Knie.
   (After the fall, he felt a strong pain/ache in his knee.)
2. Das Weh über den Verlust war kaum zu ertragen.
   (The sorrow/grief over the loss was almost unbearable.)
3. "Oh Weh!", rief sie, als sie das zerbrochene Glas sah.
   ("Oh dear!", she exclaimed when she saw the broken glass.)
4. Dem Dichter gelang es, das unaussprechliche Weh in Worte zu fassen.
   (The poet managed to put the unspeakable woe into words.)
5. Er klagte sein Weh über die Ungerechtigkeit der Welt.
   (He lamented his sorrow/woe about the injustice of the world.)

💡 Using "das Weh" Correctly

"Das Weh" is used in various contexts:

• In literature and elevated language: It's often used here to express deeper suffering or existential pain (e.g., Weltschmerz - world-weariness, das Weh der Liebe - the pain of love).
• In compound words (Komposita): Very common in combination with body parts or causes of pain (Zahnweh - toothache, Bauchweh - stomach ache, Kopfweh - headache, Heimweh - homesickness, Liebesweh - lovesickness). Here, it's often synonymous with 'Schmerzen' (pains).
• As an exclamation: "Oh Weh!" (Oh dear! / Alas!) or "Weh mir/dir/ihm...!" (Woe is me/you/him...!) expresses regret, dismay, or a (sometimes ironic) lament. "Wehe, wenn...!" (Woe betide, if...!) serves as a threat.
• Compared to "Schmerz": 'Der Schmerz' is the more general, everyday term for physical and mental discomfort. "Weh" often sounds a bit more poetic, old-fashioned, or is used in fixed expressions and compounds.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Weh"

1. For the Article: Imagine someone pointing to a boo-boo and saying, "Ouch, DAS hurts!" The word "DAS" sounds a bit like the English "does" (as in "it does hurt") and reminds you of the neuter article das Weh.
2. For the Meaning: The word "Weh" sounds very similar to the English expression of pain or sadness: "Woe". Think "Woe is me!" which translates to "Weh mir!". Or imagine the crying sound "Waaah!" when someone is in pain - similar to "Weh".

↔️ Opposites and Similarities

⚠️ Similar-sounding but different words

• wehen (verb): to blow (like the wind). E.g.: Der Wind weht stark. (The wind is blowing strongly.)
• Die Wehen (noun, plural): labor contractions.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: "Wo tut es Ihnen denn weh?"
Patient: "Immer da, wo ich nicht bin, Herr Doktor!"
Arzt: "Aha, ein klassischer Fall von Fernweh!"

--- Translation ---

Doctor asks the patient: "So, where does it hurt?" (Wo tut es Ihnen weh?)
Patient: "Always where I am not, doctor!"
Doctor: "Aha, a classic case of Fernweh (wanderlust)!"

(It's a pun: "Weh" means ache/pain. "Fernweh" means wanderlust, literally "far-ache" or "ache for faraway places".)

✍️ Poem about "das Weh"

Ein leises Seufzen, tief und schwer,
Das ist das Weh, es drückt so sehr.
Mal in der Seele, mal im Glied,
Ein unerwünschtes, traurig Lied.
Ob Kopfweh, Bauchweh, Herzeleid,
Es raubt die Freud', es stiehlt die Zeit.
Doch auch das Weh, es geht vorbei,
Und macht dem leichten Herzen frei.

--- Translation ---

A quiet sigh, so deep and grave,
That is the Woe, a heavy wave.
Sometimes in soul, sometimes in limb,
A sorrowful, unwanted hymn.
Be it headache, heartache, tummy's plight,
It steals the joy, it steals the light.
But even Woe, it fades away,
And frees the heart for a brighter day.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Körper, doch fühlst du mich stark.
Ich komme bei Stürzen, bei Kummer im Park.
"Oh ____!" rufst du aus, wenn etwas zerbricht,
Oder wenn dir im Herzen das Sonnenlicht ficht.

Was bin ich?

--- Translation & Answer ---

I have no body, yet you feel me strong.
I come with falls, with sorrow all along.
"Oh ____!" you cry out, when something takes a hit,
Or when in your heart, the sunlight won't sit.

What am I?
... Das Weh (Woe / Pain / Ache)

✨ Other Interesting Info

Word Compounds (Komposita): "Weh" is very productive in compounds. The most famous include:

• Heimweh: Homesickness (literally 'home-ache').
• Fernweh: Wanderlust (literally 'far-ache').
• Zahnweh, Bauchweh, Kopfweh: Toothache, stomach ache, headache.
• Wehmut: Melancholy, a gentle sadness often mixed with nostalgia.

Idiom: "Jemandem weh tun" means 'to hurt someone' (physically or emotionally).

Etymology: The word derives from Old High German "wēwo" (pain, lament) and is related to the English word "woe".