der  Mut

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/muːt/

🦁 What exactly is 'der Mut'?

Der Mut means courage, bravery, or guts. It refers to the ability to act despite fear, uncertainty, or danger. It's the inner strength to face challenges or stand up for one's convictions.

It is an abstract noun, almost always used in the singular, as Mut is seen as a general quality or attitude. A plural form (die Mute) technically exists but is extremely uncommon and practically unused in modern German.

Examples of Mut include:

• Mut in the face of danger (e.g., in rescue operations)
• Moral Mut (e.g., standing up against injustice)
• Mut to try something new (e.g., starting a business)

🚨 Since the only article is der, confusion regarding the article for this word is not possible.

🧐 Grammar of 'der Mut' in Detail

The noun 'Mut' is masculine and takes the article der. It's almost exclusively used in the singular. Here is its declension:

Note: The dative ending '-e' (dem Mute) and the genitive form 'Muts' are less common and often used for stylistic reasons or are considered archaic. 'Des Mutes' is the more frequent genitive form.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Mut des Feuerwehrmannes war bewundernswert.
   (The firefighter's courage was admirable.)
2. Sie fasste all ihren Mut zusammen und sprach ihn an.
   (She gathered all her courage and approached him.)
3. Mit großem Mute trat er dem Gegner entgegen.
   (With great courage, he faced the opponent. - slightly elevated style)
4. Das ist ein Zeichen des Mutes.
   (That is a sign of courage.)
5. Er braucht viel Mut für diese Entscheidung.
   (He needs a lot of courage for this decision.)

💡 How to Use 'Mut'?

'Mut' is used to describe an inner attitude or quality. It's often associated with situations that provoke fear or uncertainty.

Typical Contexts:

• Overcoming challenges: Man braucht Mut, um seine Komfortzone zu verlassen. (One needs courage to leave one's comfort zone.)
• Making decisions: Sie hatte den Mut, ihren Job zu kündigen und neu anzufangen. (She had the courage to quit her job and start anew.)
• Dangerous situations: Der Bergsteiger bewies großen Mut. (The mountaineer showed great courage.)
• Social/Moral context: Zivilcourage erfordert Mut. (Civil courage requires bravery.)

Important Phrases:

• Mut fassen/sammeln: to pluck up/gather courage. (Fass Mut und spring! - Pluck up your courage and jump!)
• jemandem Mut machen/zusprechen: to encourage someone. (Ihre Freunde machten ihr Mut. - Her friends encouraged her.)
• den Mut verlieren/sinken lassen: *to lose courage, to become discouraged.* (Verlier nicht den Mut! - Don't lose heart!)
• seinen ganzen Mut zusammennehmen: to summon all one's courage.

Distinction: While 'Mut' describes the general quality, 'Tapferkeit' often refers specifically to courage in the face of concrete danger or in battle.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Mut'

Here are a couple of memory aids:

For the article 'der': Think of der Lion – a symbol of strength and courage. Der Lion has den Mut. 🦁 (Since 'Lion' in German is 'der Löwe', this connection works well).

For the meaning 'Courage': When you think "Oh dear, I can't do this!", you need MUT. Imagine you MUST do it, which requires MUT (courage). The sounds are somewhat similar.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Übermut: *overconfidence, recklessness; high spirits. (Don't mix it up!*)
• Wut: rage, anger. (*Sounds somewhat similar, but means something completely different!*)

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Fritzchen, nenne mir fünf Tiere aus Afrika."
Fritzchen: "Äh... vier Löwen und ein Gnu!"
Lehrer: "Woher nimmst du den Mut, so etwas zu sagen?"
Fritzchen: "Von den vier Löwen!"

Translation:
Teacher: "Freddy, name five animals from Africa."
Freddy: "Err... four lions and a wildebeest!"
Teacher: "Where do you get the courage (Mut) to say something like that?"
Freddy: "From the four lions!"

📜 A Short Poem about Courage

Der Mut, ein stiller Begleiter,
lässt dich gehen immer weiter.
Auch wenn die Angst im Nacken sitzt,
und dich die Sorge schnell erhitzt.
Der Mut gibt Kraft, er gibt dir Halt,
macht Herzen warm, lässt Furcht eiskalt.

Translation:
Courage, a quiet companion,
lets you keep going on and on.
Even when fear sits at your neck,
and worry quickly makes you sweat.
Courage gives strength, it gives you hold,
warms hearts, leaves fear out in the cold.

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keine Hände, doch ich kann dich stärken.
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich lass dich Werke
beginnen, die du fürchtest, groß und klein.
Ich wohne tief in dir, bin oft allein
mit deiner Angst, doch trete ich hervor,
öffnest du vielleicht ein neues Tor.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I have no hands, yet I can strengthen you.
I have no voice, yet I let you pursue
tasks that you fear, both big and small.
I dwell deep inside you, often stand tall
alone with your fear, but when I appear,
you might open a new door, hold it dear.

What am I?

Solution: der Mut (courage)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Family (Wortfamilie):

• mutig (adjective): brave, courageous. (ein mutiger Schritt - a brave step)
• ermutigen (verb): to encourage. (Sie ermutigte ihn. - She encouraged him.)
• entmutigen (verb): to discourage. (Lass dich nicht entmutigen! - Don't be discouraged!)
• die Mutprobe: test of courage, dare.
• der Wagemut: daring, boldness.
• der Hochmut: arrogance, hubris (negative).
• der Löwenmut: lionheartedness, great courage.
• die Anmut: grace, elegance (unrelated to 'Mut'!). ⚠️

Etymology: The word 'Mut' comes from Old High German 'muot', which originally had a broader meaning of 'mind, soul, spirit, disposition, mood, intention'. The current narrower meaning of 'bravery, boldness' developed later.