der  Liebeskummer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈliːbəsˌkʊmɐ/

💔 What exactly is 'Liebeskummer'?

Der Liebeskummer translates to lovesickness or heartache in English. It describes the emotional pain, sadness, and suffering caused by unfulfilled or lost love. It's a state of emotional distress, often associated with heartache, longing, and sometimes despair. The word is a compound of Liebe (love) and Kummer (grief, sorrow, distress).

There is only one article: der. 'Liebeskummer' is always masculine in German. 🚨 Remember this!

Examples of situations causing Liebeskummer:

• Breaking up with a partner
• Unrequited love
• Longing for a person who is far away
• Loss of a loved one (in a romantic context)

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declining 'Liebeskummer'

Der Liebeskummer is a masculine noun. It is mostly used in the singular as it describes a state or condition. A plural form ("die Liebeskümmer") theoretically exists but is extremely rare in practice.

Declension Singular

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Liebeskummer kann sehr schmerzhaft sein.
   (Lovesickness can be very painful.)
2. Sie leidet sehr unter ihrem Liebeskummer.
   (She suffers a lot from her heartache.)
3. Er versucht, seinen Liebeskummer mit Arbeit zu betäuben.
   (He tries to numb his lovesickness with work.)
4. Wegen des Liebeskummers konnte er nächtelang nicht schlafen.
   (Because of the lovesickness, he couldn't sleep for nights.)
5. Musik hilft ihr oft bei Liebeskummer.
   (Music often helps her with lovesickness.)

🗣️ How to Use 'Liebeskummer'

Der Liebeskummer is used to describe the specific emotional pain related to love and relationships.

• Typical Collocations: One hat Liebeskummer (has lovesickness), leidet an/unter Liebeskummer (suffers from lovesickness), überwindet Liebeskummer (overcomes lovesickness).
• Context: Mostly used in personal conversations, literature, movies, or songs dealing with emotional themes.
• Distinction: While Trauer (grief, mourning) describes general pain over a loss, Liebeskummer is specific to romantic relationships. Sehnsucht (longing, yearning) describes the desire for someone or something, and can be part of Liebeskummer, but isn't the same.
• Intensity: The word often expresses a deep, intense pain.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article 'der'

Think: Kummer (grief, sorrow) itself is masculine: der Kummer. Even when caused by love (Liebe), the core 'Kummer' keeps its gender. Imagine DER poor guy (der Mann) suffering greatly – he has der Liebeskummer.

Remembering the Meaning 'Lovesickness'

It's composed of Liebe (love) + Kummer (grief/sorrow). When love (which should be beautiful) brings you Kummer, you have Liebeskummer – heartache because of love. ❤️‍🩹 + 😥 = Liebeskummer.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words

⚠️ Careful, don't confuse with:

• Die Sehnsucht: (Longing, yearning) Strong desire for someone/something. Can be part of Liebeskummer, but is not the same.
• Die Eifersucht: (Jealousy) Fear of losing a loved person to someone else. Can lead to Liebeskummer, but is a different emotion.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: „Was fehlt Ihnen denn?“
Patient: „Ich habe schrecklichen Liebeskummer.“
Arzt: „Okay, nehmen Sie dreimal täglich diese rosarote Brille!“

English Translation: The doctor asks the patient: "So, what's wrong?"
Patient: "I have terrible lovesickness."
Doctor: "Okay, take these rose-tinted glasses three times a day!"

✒️ Poem about 'Liebeskummer'

Herz in Scherben (Heart in Pieces)

Der Liebeskummer, schwer und kalt, (Lovesickness, heavy and cold,)
Macht junges Herz auf einmal alt. (Makes a young heart suddenly old.)
Wo Lachen war, sind Tränen nun, (Where laughter was, now tears reside,)
Kann kaum noch atmen, essen, ruhn. (Can hardly breathe, eat, rest inside.)
Ein Schmerz, der tief im Innern sitzt, (A pain that sits deep down within,)
Bis Zeit die Wunde langsam kittet. (Until time slowly mends the skin.)

❓ Can You Guess? A Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Gast, den niemand lädt,
Der kommt, wenn eine Liebe geht.
Ich bringe Seufzer, Schmerz und Pein,
Und lass das Herz oft einsam sein.
Mein Artikel ist 'der', ganz klar,
Ich bin der ...?

English Translation:
I am a guest whom no one invites,
Who comes when a love takes flight.
I bring sighs, hurt, and pain,
And often leave the heart in lonely strain.
My article is 'der', that's clear,
I am ...?

Solution: Der Liebeskummer

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Formation

Liebeskummer is a compound noun (Kompositum):

• Die Liebe: Love
• Der Kummer: Grief, sorrow, distress

The determining word (Liebes-) specifies the type of sorrow. The main word (Kummer) determines the grammatical gender (der Kummer -> der Liebeskummer).

Cultural Notes

Lovesickness (Liebeskummer) is a universal feeling and a frequent theme in German music (from Schlager to pop and rock), literature (Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther" is a famous example), and film.