der
Ehebruch
💔 What exactly is Ehebruch?
Der Ehebruch is the German term for adultery or marital infidelity. It refers to the breach of marital fidelity through a sexual relationship of a married person with someone other than their spouse.
It is a masculine noun (hence der Ehebruch). The meaning is quite specific to the act of infidelity within an existing marriage.
⚠️ Historically, Ehebruch was a criminal offense in Germany, but it is no longer punishable by law today. However, it can still have civil law consequences, particularly in divorce proceedings (Scheidungsrecht).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-uch → mostly masculine.
Including -auch nouns (100% masculine, e.g. der Bauch)
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Declension of Ehebruch
The word 'Ehebruch' is masculine (der Ehebruch). It is primarily used in the singular. A plural form ('die Ehebrüche') is grammatically possible but very uncommon, as the term usually refers to the individual act or the concept itself.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der Ehebruch | ein Ehebruch | Ehebruch |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des Ehebruch(e)s | eines Ehebruch(e)s | Ehebruch(e)s |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem Ehebruch(e) | einem Ehebruch(e) | Ehebruch(e) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den Ehebruch | einen Ehebruch | Ehebruch |
(The plural 'die Ehebrüche' is rare and not tabulated here.)
Example Sentences
- Der Ehebruch führte zur sofortigen Trennung des Paares. (The adultery led to the immediate separation of the couple.)
- Sie beschuldigte ihn des Ehebruchs. (She accused him of adultery.)
- In vielen Kulturen wird Ehebruch gesellschaftlich stark verurteilt. (In many cultures, adultery is strongly condemned socially.)
- Dem Ehebruch folgte eine schwere Ehekrise. (A severe marital crisis followed the adultery.)
🗣️ How Ehebruch is Used
The term Ehebruch is mostly used in serious contexts, often related to legal, moral, or ethical discussions. It sounds more formal and 'harsher' than colloquial terms like 'Seitensprung' (fling) or 'Fremdgehen' (cheating).
- Context: Law (formerly criminal law, now family/divorce law), ethics, religion, social debates, literature, psychology (relationship problems).
- Typical Collocations: Ehebruch begehen (to commit adultery), jemanden des Ehebruchs bezichtigen/beschuldigen (to accuse someone of adultery), Ehebruch als Scheidungsgrund (adultery as grounds for divorce).
- Distinction: While 'Untreue' (infidelity) can also include emotional infidelity, and 'Seitensprung' or 'Fremdgehen' are often perceived as less serious or one-off incidents, 'Ehebruch' specifically denotes the sexual act outside of marriage, carrying certain legal and moral connotations. Compare to the English 'adultery'.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'der Bruch' (the break, the breach). Ehebruch is a 'Bruch' (breach) of the 'Ehe' (marriage) – and 'Bruch' is masculine (der Bruch). Therefore: der Ehebruch.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of 'Ehe' (marriage) and 'Bruch' (break/breach). It literally describes the 'breaking' of the 'marriage' through infidelity.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Untreue: General term for disloyalty in a relationship (infidelity).
- Seitensprung: Often used for a one-off or brief sexual affair (fling, casual affair). More colloquial.
- Fremdgehen: Very common, colloquial term for sexual infidelity (cheating).
- Affäre: Often denotes a longer-lasting extramarital relationship (affair).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
🚨 Caution: These terms are not always interchangeable, as they carry different connotations and levels of formality.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Ehebrecher immer eine Leiter mit?
Damit sie auf den Seitensprung vorbereitet sind! 😉
Translation:
Why do adulterers always take a ladder with them?
So they are prepared for the 'side-jump' (Seitensprung also means fling/affair, and literally 'side-jump')! 😉
📜 A Poem About Broken Trust
Ein Schwur gegeben, Hand in Hand,
Ein heiliges, festes Band.
Doch Schatten nahten, leis' und sacht,
Der Ehebruch hat's zerstört bei Nacht.
Ein Riss im Herzen, tief und kalt,
Vertrauen stirbt, wird niemals alt.
Was einst so stark, liegt nun in Scherben,
Lässt Seelen wund und traurig sterben.
Translation:
A vow was given, hand in hand,
A holy, steady band.
But shadows neared, soft and slight,
Adultery destroyed it in the night.
A crack in the heart, deep and cold,
Trust dies, never growing old.
What once was strong, now lies in shards,
Leaving souls wounded and sad regards.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Bruch, doch kein Knochen bricht.
Ich zerstöre Vertrauen, verdunkle das Licht.
Zwei Menschen band ein heiliger Eid,
Durch mich entsteht nur Kummer und Leid.
Was bin ich?(Lösung: Der Ehebruch)
Translation:
I am a breach, yet no bone breaks.
I destroy trust, darken the light it makes.
Two people were bound by a sacred vow,
Through me, only sorrow and pain grow now.
What am I?
(Answer: Adultery / Der Ehebruch)
💡 More Interesting Facts
- Word Composition: The word is a compound of Ehe (marriage, matrimony) and Bruch (break, breach). It literally means 'marriage-breach'.
- Historical Context: Until 1969, adultery (Ehebruch) was a criminal offense in the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). In the GDR (East Germany), it was decriminalized earlier, in 1958.
- Cultural Significance: The concept of adultery and how it is viewed is strongly influenced by cultural and religious norms. It is a common theme in literature, film, and art.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ehebruch?
The noun Ehebruch is masculine. The correct article is der. It refers to the breach of marital fidelity through a sexual relationship with a third party (adultery).