der
Unsinn
🤔 What does "Unsinn" actually mean?
Der Unsinn translates to nonsense, absurdity, rubbish, or foolishness. It refers to something that makes no sense, is illogical, silly, or foolish. It can describe a statement, an action, or an idea.
Essentially, it's the opposite of Sinn (sense, meaning) or Vernunft (reason). If someone "redet Unsinn" (talks nonsense), they are saying things that lack logical connection or are simply wrong or stupid.
It is a masculine noun and therefore uses the article "der".
⚠️ Caution: "Unsinn" is mostly used only in the singular. A plural form ("die Unsinne") is very uncommon and typically only used in rare philosophical or literary contexts to describe different kinds or types of nonsense.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Waste → mostly masculine.
🧐 Grammar of "der Unsinn" in Detail
"Unsinn" is a masculine noun. It's normally treated as an uncountable noun and therefore almost exclusively used in the singular.
Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der Unsinn | ein Unsinn |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Unsinns / Unsinn(e)s | eines Unsinns / Unsinn(e)s |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem Unsinn(e) | einem Unsinn(e) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den Unsinn | einen Unsinn |
As mentioned, a plural ("die Unsinne") is extremely rare and not listed further here.
Example Sentences
- Was du da sagst, ist doch völliger Unsinn!
(What you're saying is complete nonsense!) - Er hat nur Unsinn im Kopf.
(He only has nonsense/mischief in his head.) - Hör auf mit dem Unsinn und sei ernst!
(Stop the nonsense and be serious!) - Der Professor erklärte die Theorie für wissenschaftlichen Unsinn.
(The professor declared the theory scientific nonsense.) - Wegen des vielen Unsinns in den Nachrichten schalte ich den Fernseher lieber aus.
(Because of all the nonsense in the news, I prefer to turn off the TV.)
💬 How to Use "Unsinn"?
"Unsinn" is frequently used in colloquial German to dismiss something as stupid, silly, or pointless. It can express a strong negative judgment.
Typical Contexts:
- Evaluating statements: "Das ist doch Unsinn!" (That's nonsense!) or "Glaub doch nicht so einen Unsinn!" (Don't believe such nonsense!)
- Describing behavior: "Mach keinen Unsinn!" (Don't get up to mischief! / Behave yourself! - often said to children) or "Er treibt wieder Unsinn." (He's up to mischief again.)
- Expressing annoyance or disbelief: "Was für ein Unsinn!" (What nonsense!)
Important Phrases:
- Unsinn reden/erzählen: To talk nonsense/rubbish.
- Unsinn machen/treiben: To fool around, make mischief, behave silly.
- Unsinn im Kopf haben: To have silly or crazy ideas.
Compared to synonyms like "Quatsch" or "Blödsinn", "Unsinn" can sometimes sound slightly more formal or less emotional, depending on context and tone.
💡 Mnemonics for "der Unsinn"
Mnemonic for the Article (der):
Imagine a very opinionated man (der Mann) declaring something utterly illogical. He, der Mann, is talking Unsinn.
Mnemonic for the Meaning (Nonsense):
"Unsinn" sounds a bit like "un-sense". Something that is "un-sense" or makes no sense is Unsinn. Simple!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Unsinn"
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):
- Quatsch (very informal, like rubbish, balderdash)
- Blödsinn (informal, often a bit stronger than Quatsch, like bullshit, nonsense)
- Nonsens (from English, often used for absurd humor)
- Schwachsinn (stronger, can be offensive, like idiocy, mental deficiency - use with caution!)
- Irrsinn (refers to something crazy, madness)
- Stuss (informal, common in Northern Germany, like rubbish)
- Humbug (dated, means hoax or sham)
- Albernheit (silliness, relates more to childish behavior)
🚨 Watch out for similar words: Don't confuse "Unsinn" with "Unmut" (displeasure, annoyance) or "Unart" (bad habit).
😂 A Little Joke about Nonsense
Deutsch: Fragt der Lehrer: "Wenn ich sage 'Ich bin schön', welche Zeitform ist das?" Schüler: "Vergangenheit, Herr Lehrer. Und wahrscheinlich auch Unsinn."
English: The teacher asks: "If I say 'I am beautiful', what tense is that?" Student: "Past tense, teacher. And probably also nonsense."
📜 Poem about Nonsense
Deutsch:
Der Unsinn, leicht und ohne Zweck,
tanzt auf der Zunge, frech und keck.
Mal ist er laut, mal ist er leis',
oft nur Gerede, ohne Preis.
Doch manchmal, tief im Aberwitz,
sitzt Wahrheit – ein versteckter Blitz.
Drum lach' nicht nur, halt kurz mal inne,
vielleicht steckt doch was hinterm Unsinne?
English Translation:
Nonsense, light and without aim,
Dances on the tongue, bold and game.
Sometimes it's loud, sometimes it's low,
Often just talk, with nowhere to go.
But sometimes, deep in absurdity's wit,
Sits truth – a hidden lightning-hit.
So don't just laugh, pause for a bit,
Maybe there's something behind it?
❓ Riddle Time
Deutsch:
Ich habe keinen Kopf, doch kann im Kopfe sein.
Ich habe keinen Sinn, doch bring' dich oft zum Schrei'n.
Man sagt, ich sei nur Quatsch, doch jeder macht mich mal.
Was bin ich wohl, sag an, ganz ohne Wahl?
English:
I have no head, but can be in your head.
I have no sense, but often make you shout instead.
They say I'm only rubbish, yet everyone does me.
What am I then, please tell, inevitably?
Lösung/Solution: der Unsinn (nonsense)
🧩 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Unsinn" is composed quite simply:
- Un-: A prefix expressing negation or the opposite (like in unhappy, impossible).
- Sinn: The base word, meaning sense, meaning, or mind.
So, "Unsinn" literally means "without sense".
Cultural Aspects:
The concept of "Nonsens" (often used synonymously with Unsinn) has inspired a literary genre, nonsense literature, which plays with absurd and illogical elements (e.g., works by Lewis Carroll or German poets like Christian Morgenstern).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Unsinn?
The German word "Unsinn" is masculine: der Unsinn. It means nonsense, absurdity, or foolishness and is almost exclusively used in the singular form.