der  Argwohn

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʁkvoːn/

🤔 What exactly does 'der Argwohn' mean?

Der Argwohn means a deep-seated, often unfounded distrust or nagging suspicion towards a person, their intentions, or a situation. It's a feeling of scepticism and doubt that goes beyond mere caution.

🚨 Important: Argwohn is an abstract noun and is almost exclusively used in the singular. It describes a state or feeling.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Argwohn

Argwohn is a masculine noun, taking the article der. It is an abstract noun and does not have a plural form.

⚠️ The Genitive and Dative forms ending in '-es' or '-e' (Argwohnes, Argwohne) are dated or very formal.

Example Sentences

1. Trotz seiner freundlichen Worte spürte sie einen leisen Argwohn in sich aufsteigen.
   Despite his kind words, she felt a slight suspicion rising within her.
2. Der Argwohn des Detektivs gegenüber dem Hauptverdächtigen wuchs mit jeder neuen Information.
   The detective's suspicion towards the main suspect grew with every new piece of information.
3. Er versuchte, seinen Argwohn zu unterdrücken, aber das ungute Gefühl blieb.
   He tried to suppress his mistrust, but the uneasy feeling remained.
4. Sie betrachtete das Angebot mit großem Argwohn.
   She regarded the offer with great suspicion.

🗣️ How to use 'Argwohn'?

Argwohn is used to express a deep, often nagging feeling of mistrust or scepticism. It's stronger than mere caution and often implies a lack of concrete evidence.

• Context: Often found in situations where trust is crucial (interpersonal relationships, business partners, politics), but doubt prevails.
• Tone: The word has a rather serious, often negative connotation and belongs more to formal or written German, although it is generally understood in spoken language too.
• Comparison:
  • Misstrauen: More general, less intense than Argwohn. You can distrust someone without having specific suspicions.
  • Verdacht: Often refers to a concrete suspicion or a possible offense. Argwohn is more of a general, diffuse feeling.
  • Skepsis: Expresses doubt and reservation rather than the negative feeling of Argwohn.

One can hegen (harbour), schöpfen (conceive), empfinden (feel), or zerstreuen (dispel) Argwohn.

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Aid: Imagine DER (=the masculine 'the') detective harbors great Argwohn. Masculine word for a typically 'male' profession (in old stereotypes).

Meaning Aid: Think of 'ARG' like 'argumentative' or 'aggravated', and 'WOHN' sounds a bit like 'warning'. An argumentative warning in your head is Argwohn (suspicion/mistrust). (Note: Etymology is different, but this helps remember!)

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Argwohn

Watch out: Don't confuse Argwohn with Verdächtigung (the act of suspecting, accusation) or Arglist (malice, deceit).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette keinen Argwohn mit auf Partys?
Weil sie kein ungutes Gefühl im Bauch haben! 😉

Why don't skeletons take suspicion (Argwohn) to parties?
Because they don't have a bad gut feeling! 😉 (Pun on 'Gefühl im Bauch' = gut feeling)

📜 A Little Poem

Ein leises Flüstern, kaum gehört,
Hat tief im Herzen aufgestört.
Ein Blick, ein Wort, nicht klar zu fassen,
Lässt dunklen Argwohn wachsen, wachsen.
Er nagt am Grund, wo Frieden war,
Macht Freundschaft brüchig, Jahr für Jahr.

A quiet whisper, barely heard,
Has deeply stirred the heart.
A glance, a word, not clearly grasped,
Lets dark suspicion grow and grow.
It gnaws the ground where peace once lay,
Makes friendship fragile, year by year.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Gast, den keiner lädt,
Der Zweifel sät, wo Freundschaft steht.
Ich habe keine Hand, kein Aug',
Doch sehe Trug und Lügenrauch.
Man hegt mich oft ganz ohne Grund,
Ich mache selten Herzen gesund.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: Der Argwohn

I am a guest whom no one invites,
Who sows doubt where friendship resides.
I have no hand, no eye to see,
Yet I perceive deceit and trickery.
I'm often harbored without ground,
I rarely make hearts healthy and sound.

What am I?
Answer: Der Argwohn (Suspicion/Mistrust)

✨ More Tidbits

Word Composition: The word Argwohn comes from 'arg' (meaning bad, evil, wicked) and the Old High German word 'wān', which meant 'opinion', 'supposition', or even 'hope'. So, it originally described a 'bad supposition' or 'evil opinion'. It is *not* related to the modern word 'wohnen' (to live/dwell).

Stylistic Level: Argwohn tends to be used in more formal or written German, although it's widely understood. In everyday conversation, people might more commonly use Misstrauen (mistrust) or Verdacht (suspicion).