der
Blödsinn
🤔 What Exactly is Blödsinn?
Der Blödsinn is a German colloquial term for nonsense, foolishness, or something pointless. It can refer to a statement, an action, or an idea that is perceived as stupid, silly, or illogical.
- 🗣️ As a statement: "Erzähl doch keinen Blödsinn!" (Don't talk nonsense!)
- 🤸 As an action: "Mach keinen Blödsinn!" (Don't do anything stupid/silly!)
- 💡 As an idea: "Das ist doch völliger Blödsinn." (That's complete nonsense.)
It's quite an informal word and often expresses annoyance, disbelief, or amusement about something silly. ⚠️ Be careful: Although often meant harmlessly, it can sound derogatory depending on the context and tone of voice.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Blödsinn
"Blödsinn" is a masculine noun. The article is der. It is mostly used in the singular, as it often describes an uncountable concept (nonsense in general).
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Blödsinn | ein Blödsinn |
| Genitive | des Blödsinns / Blödsinnes | eines Blödsinns / Blödsinnes |
| Dative | dem Blödsinn / Blödsinne | einem Blödsinn / Blödsinne |
| Accusative | den Blödsinn | einen Blödsinn |
The plural ("die Blödsinne") is very rare and only used when referring to multiple specific nonsensical acts or statements.
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Blödsinne |
| Genitive | der Blödsinne |
| Dative | den Blödsinne |
| Accusative | die Blödsinne |
Example Sentences
- Was du da erzählst, ist doch kompletter Blödsinn.
(What you're saying is complete nonsense.) - Hör auf mit dem Blödsinn und konzentrier dich!
(Stop that nonsense and concentrate!) - Er hat nur Blödsinn im Kopf.
(He only has nonsense/mischief on his mind.) - Wegen solchen Blödsinns verschwenden wir unsere Zeit.
(Because of such nonsense, we are wasting our time.)
💬 How to Use "Blödsinn" Correctly?
"Blödsinn" clearly belongs to colloquial German. You use it to describe something as nonsensical, stupid, or inappropriate.
- Context: Informal conversations among friends, family, or colleagues (depending on the relationship). Rather unsuitable for formal writing or speeches.
- Intention: Often to express disagreement or annoyance ("Red keinen Blödsinn!" - Don't talk nonsense!), sometimes also jokingly or to describe silliness ("Wir haben gestern Abend nur Blödsinn gemacht." - We just fooled around last night.).
- Intensity: It's stronger than "Unsinn" or "Quatsch", but often less strong or vulgar than "Schwachsinn".
Typical Expressions:
- Blödsinn reden/erzählen: To talk nonsense.
- Blödsinn machen: To fool around, do silly things, cause mischief.
- etwas für Blödsinn halten: To consider something nonsense.
- So ein Blödsinn!: An exclamation of disbelief or rejection (What nonsense!).
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Blödsinn"
For the article (der): Imagine DER old man shouting "That's Blödsinn!". Associate the masculine 'der' with the image of an old man (often stereotypically seen as grumpy or opinionated about nonsense).
For the meaning (Nonsense): The word sounds a bit like 'Blethering Sinn'. 'Blethering' means talking foolishly, and 'Sinn' means sense. So, 'blethering sense' = nonsense. Or, focus on the first part: blöd means stupid, and Sinn means sense. So, Blödsinn is literally 'stupid sense', which equals nonsense.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Unsinn: Very similar, perhaps slightly more neutral.
- Quatsch: Very colloquial, often more harmless, childish nonsense.
- Schwachsinn: Significantly stronger and more derogatory, bordering on offensive.
- Unfug: Refers more to actions, mischief, pranks.
- Stuss: Colloquial, similar to Quatsch/Unsinn.
- Humbug: Rather outdated, often refers to hoax, deception.
🚨 Note: These words are not always interchangeable. Context and the desired intensity are crucial!
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir sagen, was Vakuum ist?" Fritzchen meldet sich: "Ich hab's im Kopf, Herr Lehrer, aber ich komm grad nicht drauf!" Lehrer: "Das ist kein Vakuum, Fritzchen, das ist Blödsinn!"
English Translation: The teacher asks: "Who can tell me what a vacuum is?" Little Fritz raises his hand: "I have it in my head, teacher, but I just can't think of it right now!" Teacher: "That's not a vacuum, Fritzchen, that's nonsense (Blödsinn)!"
✍️ Poem about Nonsense
German:
Manchmal redet mancher Stuss,
nennt es Wahrheit, zum Verdruss.
Doch schaut man näher hin im Sinn,
ist's oft nur leerer Blödsinn.
Mal laut gelacht, mal still gedacht,
hat er schon manchen Streit entfacht.
Drum prüfe wohl, was man dir spricht,
ob Sinn drin ist, oder eben nicht!
English Translation:
Sometimes some people talk rubbish,
Call it truth, to our annoyance.
But if you look closer in sense,
It's often just empty nonsense.
Sometimes laughed at loud, sometimes thought in silence,
It has already sparked many a conflict.
Therefore, check well what is said to you,
Whether there is sense in it, or simply not!
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich habe keinen Kopf, doch bin oft im Gespräch.
Ich habe keinen Körper, doch man kann mich machen.
Man hält mich für dumm, sinnlos und auch frech.
Man lacht über mich oder hört auf zu lachen.Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I have no head, yet I'm often in conversation.
I have no body, yet one can 'make' me.
I am considered stupid, pointless, and also cheeky.
People laugh about me or stop laughing.What am I?
Answer: Der Blödsinn (Nonsense)
🧩 More Tidbits
Word Composition:
"Blödsinn" is a compound noun, composed of:
- blöd: Adjective meaning stupid, silly, annoying.
- Sinn: Noun meaning sense, meaning, purpose.
So, literally, it means something like "stupid sense" or "senseless stuff". This origin explains the meaning very well.
Cultural Aspect:
The word is deeply rooted in German colloquial language and is frequently used to quickly and directly express that one considers something nonsensical. It reflects a certain directness in communication common in German culture.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Blödsinn?
The German word Blödsinn is masculine. Therefore, the correct article is der Blödsinn. It means nonsense or foolishness and is mainly used colloquially.