der  Eifer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪ̯fɐ/

💡 What does 'der Eifer' mean?

Der Eifer (noun, masculine) describes a strong, passionate striving or effort to achieve a goal or complete a task. It signifies great diligence, dedication, and inner drive.

There is only this one meaning for 'der Eifer'. The word is almost exclusively used in the singular. Exaggerated Eifer is often called Übereifer (overzealousness), which can have a negative connotation (someone is übereifrig - overzealous).

Characteristics:

• Intensity and passion
• Goal orientation
• High motivation and energy
• Can be positive (engagement) or negative (overzealousness)

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declining 'der Eifer'

'Eifer' is a masculine noun. It is generally only used in the singular, as it is an abstract noun. The plural ('die Eifer') is very rare and hardly ever used.

(A plural table is not practical here, as the plural is extremely uncommon.)

Example Sentences

1. Mit großem Eifer machte er sich an die Arbeit.
   (He set to work with great eagerness/zeal.)
2. Ihr Eifer bei der Sache war ansteckend.
   (Her zeal in the matter was contagious.)
3. Man sollte seinen Eifer manchmal zügeln, um nicht übereifrig zu wirken.
   (One should sometimes curb one's eagerness so as not to seem overzealous.)
4. Der Lehrer lobte den Eifer des Schülers.
   (The teacher praised the student's diligence/eagerness.)

🚀 'Eifer' in Practice: Usage Examples

Der Eifer is used to describe an intense, often admirable dedication to a task, hobby, or goal. It implies more than just Fleiß (diligence); it involves passion and inner motivation.

Typical Contexts:

• Work & Learning: "Sie stürzte sich mit Feuereifer in das neue Projekt." (She threw herself into the new project with fiery zeal.) Feuereifer means very strong Eifer.
• Hobbies & Interests: "Sein Eifer beim Sammeln von Briefmarken war unübertroffen." (His eagerness in collecting stamps was unsurpassed.)
• Sports: "Die Mannschaft zeigte großen Eifer im Training." (The team showed great zeal in training.)
• Religion/Conviction: "Missionarischer Eifer." (Missionary zeal.) (Can also be viewed critically here)

Distinction from similar words:

• Fleiß (diligence): Refers more to mere industriousness and perseverance, less to passion.
• Begeisterung (enthusiasm): Is more a feeling of joy and excitement, whereas Eifer is more focused on doing and striving.
• Engagement (commitment): Similar, but often more related to social or political activities.

⚠️ Beware of Übereifer (overzealousness): Too much of a good thing can be negatively assessed as Übereifer if it leads to rash actions or fanaticism.

🧠 Remembering 'der Eifer'

Here are a couple of mnemonic devices:

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of someone who is extremely EAGER (sounds a bit like Eifer). Eagerness is often a strong, driving (masculine) force. So, DER EAGER person shows DER Eifer.

Meaning Mnemonic: Eifer sounds a little like the English word "fever". Imagine someone having a 'fever' to get something done – they are burning with desire and energy, showing great Eifer (zeal, eagerness).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms: The Word Field of 'Eifer'

Similar but Different Words:

• Eifersucht (die): jealousy (related to relationships or envy of a person), completely unrelated to Eifer! 🚨

😄 A Little Joke about 'Eifer'

German: Warum hat der Gärtner seinen Job verloren?
Er war zu eifrig – er hat sogar die Schlafmohnblumen geweckt! 😉

English: Why did the gardener lose his job?
He was too eager (eifrig) – he even woke up the sleeping poppies (Schlafmohn)! 😉

📜 'Eifer' in Verse

German:
Mit Herz und Hand, voll inner'm Brand,
strebt er voran durch Zeit und Land.
Der Eifer treibt, lässt niemals ruh'n,
will stets das Beste, Größte tun.
Ein Funke stark, ein helles Licht,
das Müdigkeit und Zweifel bricht.

English Translation:
With heart and hand, full of inner fire,
he strives onward through time and land.
The zeal drives, never rests,
always wants to do the best, the greatest.
A strong spark, a bright light,
that breaks fatigue and doubt.

❓ Riddle Time: Guess the 'Eifer'

German:
Ich habe kein Herz, doch brenne heiß.
Ich habe keine Hände, doch schaffe mit Fleiß.
Man lobt mich oft, doch zu viel von mir schadet leicht.
Was bin ich, das Ziele so eifrig erreicht?

English:
I have no heart, yet I burn hot.
I have no hands, yet I work with diligence.
I am often praised, but too much of me can easily harm.
What am I, that reaches goals so eagerly?

Solution: Der Eifer (zeal, eagerness)

➕ More about 'der Eifer'

Word Composition & Origin:

• The word 'Eifer' comes from the Old High German word "eiver" or "eibar", which originally meant bitterness, sharpness, but also vehement striving. Over time, the meaning shifted to the current more positive sense of 'diligence' and 'ambition'.
• Related words are the adjective eifrig (eager, zealous) and the verb eifern (to strive, to compete eagerly).

Interesting Note: In a religious context, 'Eifer' can also imply a very serious, sometimes fanatical devotion (e.g., "religiöser Eifer" - religious zeal).