der  Skrupel

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈskʁuːpəl/

🤔 What Exactly is a *Skrupel*?

*Der Skrupel* refers to a feeling of doubt or hesitation concerning the morality or propriety of a course of action. It signifies moral reservations or qualms of conscience (*Gewissensbisse*) that might prevent someone from doing something specific.

Although the singular form *'der Skrupel'* exists, the word is very often used in the plural: *die Skrupel*.

• Example (Singular): *Ein leiser Skrupel meldete sich in ihm.* (*A faint scruple arose within him.*)
• Example (Plural): *Sie handelte ohne Skrupel.* (*She acted without scruples.*)

⚠️ Don't confuse *'Skrupel'* with *'Skalpell'* (*scalpel*) or *'Skulptur'* (*sculpture*)!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Insights: *der Skrupel*

The noun *'Skrupel'* is masculine. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

• Er hatte plötzlich Skrupel, den Vertrag zu unterschreiben.
  (He suddenly had scruples about signing the contract.)
• Moralische Skrupel hielten sie von der Lüge ab.
  (Moral scruples kept her from lying.)
• Manche Menschen scheinen keinerlei Skrupel zu kennen.
  (Some people seem to know no scruples whatsoever.)
• Trotz seiner Skrupel tat er, was von ihm verlangt wurde.
  (Despite his scruples, he did what was asked of him.)

💬 Using *Skrupel* in Context

*'Skrupel'* is mostly used in the context of moral or ethical decisions. It expresses inner resistance or conflicts of conscience.

Typical phrases:

• *Skrupel haben/hegen*: To have scruples/reservations, to hesitate. (Ich habe Skrupel, ihm das anzutun. - I have scruples about doing that to him.)
• *ohne Skrupel handeln*: To act unscrupulously or ruthlessly. (Der Diktator handelte ohne Skrupel. - The dictator acted without scruples.)
• *keine Skrupel kennen*: To know no scruples, to be completely unscrupulous. (Er kennt keine Skrupel, wenn es um seinen Vorteil geht. - He knows no scruples when it comes to his advantage.)
• *jemandem Skrupel machen/bereiten*: To cause someone doubts or reservations. (Sein Vorschlag machte mir Skrupel. - His suggestion gave me scruples/made me hesitate.)

The word tends to belong to a more formal or written register, but it is understood in everyday language, especially within these set phrases.

🧠 Mnemonics for *Skrupel*

Article Mnemonic: Imagine a very scrupulous man (*DER* Mann) constantly hesitating due to moral concerns – he has *DER Skrupel*. Think of a male (*DER*) figure wrestling with his conscience.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word *'Skrupel'* comes from the Latin *'scrupulus'*, meaning 'small sharp stone'. Imagine such a pebble pricking you inside your shoe – it's uncomfortable and makes you pause or hesitate. A *Skrupel* affects your conscience in a similar way, like a little *SCRU*bble that causes moral hesitation.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms for *Skrupel*

😄 A Little Joke

Warum haben Gespenster keine Skrupel, Leute zu erschrecken?
(Why don't ghosts have scruples about scaring people?)

Weil sie durchsichtig sind – man sieht ihre Bedenken einfach nicht! 😉
(Because they are transparent – you just can't see their reservations!)

📜 A Poem About Hesitation

Ein leiser Zweifel, tief und schwer,
der Skrupel mahnt: „Tu das nicht mehr!“
Er hält die Hand, er bremst den Schritt,
nimmt oft die böse Absicht mit.

Mal klein, mal groß, ein inner' Stein,
lässt selten uns ganz sorglos sein.
Wer Skrupel kennt, der wägt noch ab,
bevor er fällt ins dunkle Grab
der Unmoral, so kalt und leer –
Drum hör auf ihn, er meint's doch sehr!

A quiet doubt, profound and deep,
The scruple warns: "That path don't keep!"
It stays the hand, it slows the pace,
Takes ill intent right off the case.

Now small, now large, a stone within,
Rarely lets carelessness begin.
Who knows a scruple, weighs with care,
Before he falls into the snare,
Immorality's cold, empty grave –
So heed its voice, it tries to save!

❓ Who am I?

Ich bin ein Zögern, tief im Geist,
das dich oft innehalten heißt.
Ich melde mich, wenn Unrecht droht,
bin des Gewissens leises Boot.
Manch einer kennt mich gar nicht mehr,
für ihn ist keine Tat zu schwer.
Doch wer mich hat, der denkt und prüft,
bevor sein Handeln Böses stift'.

I am a hesitation, deep in mind,
That often makes you pause, you'll find.
I speak up when injustice nears,
The conscience's quiet boat that steers.
Some people know me not at all,
For them, no deed's too base or tall.
But he who has me thinks and weighs,
Before his action mischief lays.

Who am I?
... *Der Skrupel* (The Scruple)

ℹ️ Interesting Facts about *Skrupel*

Etymology: The word *'Skrupel'* originates from the Latin word scrupulus. This was originally the diminutive form of scrupus (sharp stone) and meant 'small sharp stone'. Metaphorically, it came to mean something that causes unease or anxiety, much like a pebble in one's shoe – hence the meaning 'painstaking accuracy', 'doubt', 'hesitation', or 'scruple'.

Plural Usage: As mentioned before, the use in the plural (*'die Skrupel'*) is very common, often more frequent than the singular, especially in set phrases like *'Skrupel haben'* (*to have scruples*).