der  Neid

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/naɪ̯t/

🧐 What exactly is "der Neid"?

Der Neid is the German word for envy. It describes a feeling of resentment or ill will towards another person's possessions, success, or happiness. It's the desire to have what someone else has, or the wish that the other person didn't have it.

It's considered a negative emotion, often felt silently. Unlike Eifersucht (jealousy), which often relates to relationships and the fear of loss, der Neid primarily focuses on material goods, qualities, or achievements of others.

Example: Sein Erfolg erfüllte sie mit Neid. (His success filled her with envy.)

⚠️ Note: Although Neid is often negative, the expression "gesunder Neid" (healthy envy) exists, which can serve as motivation.

📝 Grammar of "Neid": Declension in Detail

Der Neid is a masculine noun. It is mostly used in the singular as it describes an abstract feeling. The plural ("die Neide") is very rare and hardly ever used.

Singular Declension

Note: The forms with -(e) in the Genitive and Dative (Neides, Neide) are considered more formal or somewhat archaic; "Neids" and "Neid" are more common.

Example Sentences

• Der Neid zerfraß ihn fast. (Envy almost consumed him.)
• Er war sich des Neides seiner Kollegen bewusst. (He was aware of his colleagues' envy.)
• Sie gab dem Neid keinen Raum in ihrem Herzen. (She gave envy no room in her heart.)
• Manchmal spürte er den Neid auf den Erfolg seines Bruders. (Sometimes he felt envy towards his brother's success.)
• Aus reinem Neid sprach er schlecht über sie. (Out of pure envy, he spoke ill of her.)

🗣️ How to use "der Neid"?

Der Neid is used to describe the specific feeling of resentment towards what others possess or have achieved.

• Typical Contexts: Success at work, material wealth, appearance, talents, happiness in relationships (though this can also involve Eifersucht).
• Expressions:
  • blass vor Neid werden: to become pale with envy
  • aus Neid handeln: to act out of envy
  • Neid empfinden/fühlen: to feel envy
  • jemandem etwas neiden: to envy someone for something
  • Neid ist die aufrichtigste Form der Anerkennung. (Envy is the sincerest form of flattery. - Proverb)
• Distinction from Eifersucht (Jealousy): While Neid usually involves two parties (Me - Envied Person), Eifersucht often involves three (Me - Loved Person - Rival). Neid relates to possessions/success, Eifersucht to relationships/attention.
• Connotation: Mostly negative, but can (rarely) be interpreted as motivation ("gesunder Neid" - healthy envy).

🧠 Mnemonics for "Neid"

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of der (the) grumpy neighbor who is always full of Neid (envy). Or imagine a male figure (der) feeling envious.

Meaning Mnemonic: Neid sounds a bit like the English word "need". When you feel Neid, you feel you "need" or strongly desire what the other person has.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words: Der Neid

🚨 Caution: Eifersucht (jealousy) and Neid (envy) are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but they have distinct core meanings.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Gärtner keinen Neid auf den Bäcker?
(Why isn't the gardener envious of the baker?)

Weil er weiß, dass Gras nicht unbedingt grüner ist, nur weil es auf der anderen Seite des Zauns wächst – es wurde vielleicht nur besser gedüngt! 😉
(Because he knows that grass isn't necessarily greener just because it's on the other side of the fence – maybe it was just fertilized better! 😉)

📜 A Poem about Envy

Ein Stachel sitzt tief, unsichtbar und klein,
(A thorn sits deep, unseen and small,)
Der Neid, er flüstert: "Das Glück ist nicht dein."
(Envy, it whispers: "Happiness isn't yours.")
Des Nachbarn Haus, das glänzende Auto,
(The neighbor's house, the shiny car, oh,)
Warum hat er's und ich nicht ebenso?
(Why does he have it and I don't also?)

Ein nagerndes Gefühl, das selten Gutes bringt,
(A gnawing feeling that rarely brings good,)
Vergiftet die Seele, während Freude verklingt.
(Poisons the soul, while joy fades understood.)
Doch wer lernt zu gönnen, befreit sein Herz,
(But who learns to grant, frees their heart's parts,)
Und findet im eigenen Glück den wahren Wert.
(And finds in own happiness the true starts.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Gefühl, oft grün und kalt,
(I am a feeling, often green and cold,)
Ich wachse im Herzen, jung und alt.
(I grow in the heart, both young and old.)
Ich sehe den Glanz in anderer Hand,
(I see the shine in another's hand,)
Und wünsch' ihn mir ins eigene Land.
(And wish it mine, within my land.)
Ich gönne nicht, was andre haben fein,
(I don't grant freely what others gain,)
Was könnte ich wohl sein?
(What could I possibly be then?)

Answer: Der Neid (Envy)

💡 Trivia about "Neid"

• Word Origin: The word "Neid" has old Germanic roots (compare Old High German "nīd"), which often meant hostility or fighting spirit. The current meaning of resentment developed later.
• Sozialneid (Social Envy): A term from sociology referring to feelings of envy between social groups or classes (e.g., due to income disparities).
• Saying: "Neid muss man sich verdienen, Mitleid bekommt man geschenkt." ("You have to earn envy; pity is given freely.") - Meant to express that envy is often an (unwanted) acknowledgment of achievement or success.
• Cultural View: In many cultures and religions (e.g., Christianity, as one of the seven deadly sins), envy (Neid) is considered a vice.