der  Jammer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈjamɐ/

😥 What does "der Jammer" mean?

The German word der Jammer primarily describes two related concepts:

• Great suffering, misery, distress: A state of deep unhappiness or a deplorable situation. Example: Der Jammer der Flüchtlinge war unermesslich. (The misery of the refugees was immeasurable.)
• Expression of regret, lament: Often used to express pity or regret, sometimes slightly ironically. Example: Es ist ein Jammer, dass du nicht kommen kannst. (It's a pity/shame that you can't come.)

⚠️ The word is almost exclusively used in the singular when referring to the state of suffering or regret. The plural ("die Jammer") is very rare and rather archaic or poetic.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Jammer"

Der Jammer is a masculine noun. It is generally used only in the singular.

Note: The plural "die Jammer" is very uncommon.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Jammer in der Welt ist groß.
   (The misery in the world is great.)
2. Wir gedachten des Jammers der Opfer.
   (We remembered the misery of the victims.)
3. Mit großem Jammer hörte er die traurige Nachricht.
   (With great sorrow/lament he heard the sad news.)
4. Es ist ein Jammer, dass das Konzert ausfällt.
   (It's a pity/shame that the concert is cancelled.)

🗣️ How to use "Jammer"?

Der Jammer is often used in contexts expressing sadness, pity, or regret.

• Describing hardship: One speaks of the Jammer of certain groups or situations (e.g., der Jammer der Armen - the misery of the poor).
• Expressing regret: The phrase Es ist ein Jammer, dass... is very common and means It's a pity/shame that.... It expresses regret about a circumstance. Example: Es ist ein Jammer, dass das Wetter so schlecht ist. (It's a pity the weather is so bad.)
• Intensifying "Schade" (Pity/Shame): Sometimes used colloquially as jammer schade to express strong regret. Example: Dass du schon gehen musst, ist jammerschade! (It's a real shame you have to leave already!)

The related verb is jammern (to lament, whine, complain) and the adjective is jämmerlich (miserable, pitiful, wretched).

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of a man (masculine article der) loudly voicing his sorrow – that's der Jammer.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word sounds a bit like the English "yammer" (to talk complainingly) or the German verb jammern (to whine, lament). Imagine someone loudly yammering or jammernd (lamenting) about their misery – that state is der Jammer.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• jammern (verb): to whine, lament, complain.
• jämmerlich (adjective): miserable, pitiful, wretched.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, nenne mir drei Arten von Jammer."
Fritzchen: "Katzenjammer, Muskeljammer und 'Oh Jammer, morgen ist wieder Schule!'"

Teacher asks: "Freddy, name three kinds of 'Jammer' (misery/ache/lament)."
Freddy: "Katzenjammer (hangover, lit. 'cat's lament'), Muskeljammer (muscle ache, lit. 'muscle lament'), and 'Oh Jammer (Oh dear/misery), tomorrow is school again!'"

📜 Poem about Jammer

Der Regen fällt, die Welt so grau,
Ein tiefer Seufzer, still und lau.
Im Herzen sitzt der stumme Schmerz,
Ein leises Echo, ohne Scherz.
Das ist der Jammer, schwer und tief,
Der Kummer, der im Stillen schlief.

The rain descends, the world so gray,
A heavy sigh, soft and away.
Within the heart, mute pain resides,
A quiet echo, truth besides.
That is the misery (der Jammer), heavy, deep,
The sorrow that in silence sleeps.

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin ein Zustand, tief und schwer,
Bring Kummer und Elend oft daher.
Man sagt "Es ist ein ...", wenn etwas schade ist,
Ein Wort für Leid zu jeder Frist.

Was bin ich?

I am a state, profound and sore,
Bringing grief and misery evermore.
They say "It is a ..." when something's a pity,
A word for suffering in town or city.

What am I?

Solution: der Jammer

✨ Other Information

• Word Family: Belongs to the word family around "jammern" (to lament, complain) and "jämmerlich" (miserable, pitiful).
• Origin: The word has old Germanic roots and is related to words meaning lament or cry of woe.
• Intensity: "Jammer" often expresses a stronger, deeper suffering than simple "Bedauern" (regret) or "Traurigkeit" (sadness).