der  Wahn

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/vaːn/

🤔 What exactly is "der Wahn"?

Der Wahn (noun, masculine) describes a state in which a person holds beliefs that do not correspond to reality and clings to them despite evidence to the contrary. It often refers to a pathological misjudgment of reality, a delusion, an illusion, or a fixed idea.

• Psychological/Medical Context: A symptom of mental disorders (e.g., Schizophrenie, Paranoia), characterized by false, incorrigible beliefs (e.g., Verfolgungswahn - persecutory delusion, Größenwahn - delusions of grandeur).
• Colloquial Use: Can also be used exaggeratedly for an unrealistic notion, a craze, or an obsession, often slightly ironically (e.g., "Sein Putzfimmel grenzt schon an Wahn." - 'His cleaning obsession borders on delusion.').

🚨 Caution: The term is heavily connotated and should be used precisely in a medical context.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Wahn

"Wahn" is a masculine noun. It is mostly used in the singular; the plural "Wahne" is very rare and rather uncommon.

Example Sentences

1. Der Patient leidet unter schwerem Verfolgungswahn.
   (The patient suffers from severe persecutory delusions.)
2. Es ist reiner Wahn zu glauben, dass man ohne Arbeit reich wird.
   (It is pure delusion to believe one can get rich without working.)
3. Im Wahn hielt er sich für den König der Welt.
   (In his delusion, he thought he was the king of the world.)
4. Der Arzt versucht, den Wahn des Patienten zu behandeln.
   (The doctor tries to treat the patient's delusion.)

💬 How is "Wahn" used?

"Der Wahn" is primarily used in two contexts:

1. Medical/Psychological: Here, it refers to clearly defined symptoms of psychological disorders. Specific forms are often mentioned, such as:
   • Größenwahn: Delusions of grandeur (belief in one's own extraordinary importance, power, or talent).
   • Verfolgungswahn: Persecutory delusions (unfounded fear of being persecuted, cheated, or threatened).
   • Eifersuchtswahn: Delusional jealousy (pathological belief of being cheated on by a partner).
   • Religiöser Wahn: Delusions with religious content.
2. Colloquial/Figurative: Here, "Wahn" is often used metaphorically or hyperbolically to describe an unrealistic idea, a fixed notion, or an excessive preoccupation with something. Examples: "Diätwahn" (diet craze), "Jugendwahn" (youth obsession), "Technikwahn" (technology obsession). It often sounds critical or slightly mocking. Idiom: "Das grenzt an Wahn(sinn)." ('That borders on madness/delusion.')

Potential for confusion: Sometimes confused with Wahnsinn (madness, insanity), which describes a more general state of craziness or irrationality, whereas Wahn refers more specifically to the false beliefs. "Wahn" is often a symptom of "Wahnsinn".

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of a man WANdering around in a delusional state. It's der Mann, so it's der Wahn.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone trying to WARN you about a false belief someone else holds. This 'warning' sounds like "Wahn" and helps remember the meaning (false belief, delusion).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Wahn

Similar but different words:

• Wahnsinn (der): Allgemeiner Zustand der Verrücktheit oder extremen Unvernunft. (General state of madness, insanity, or extreme irrationality. Wahn can be part of it.)
• Fimmel (der): Eine übertriebene Vorliebe oder Marotte, meist harmloser als Wahn. (An exaggerated fondness or quirk, usually more harmless than Wahn.)

😄 A Little Joke

Psychiater zum Patienten: "Sie bilden sich ein, verfolgt zu werden?"
Patient: "Ich bilde mir das nicht ein, Herr Doktor. Fragen Sie doch mal die Leute, die mir ständig hinterherlaufen!"
Psychiater: "Welche Leute?"
Patient: "Na, die von meinem Schattenkabinett! Es grenzt an Wahn, dass Sie die nicht sehen!"

Translation:
Psychiatrist to patient: "You imagine you're being followed?"
Patient: "I'm not imagining it, Doctor. Just ask the people who are constantly following me!"
Psychiatrist: "What people?"
Patient: "Well, the ones from my shadow cabinet! It borders on delusion that you can't see them!"

📜 Poem about Delusion (Wahn)

Im Kopf ein Schloss, aus Wolken nur gebaut,
Wo Wirklichkeit ganz leise sich verstaut.
Der Wahn spinnt Fäden, golden und doch leer,
Ein Labyrinth, und kein Entrinnen mehr.
Der König glaubt an Macht, die nie besessen,
Der Welt entrückt, von Trugbildern besessen.
Nur der Verstand, er kämpft, um klar zu sehen,
Gegen den Wahn, der niemals will vergehen.

Translation:
A castle in the mind, of clouds just spun,
Where reality hides softly from the sun.
Delusion weaves its threads, gold yet so bare,
A labyrinth, and no escape is there.
The king believes in power never owned,
Lost to the world, by phantom visions loaned.
Only the mind, it fights for clarity's sake,
Against the Wahn, that never wants to break.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich baue Reiche nur im Geist,
Bin eine Wahrheit, die verreist.
Man hält an mir fest, ganz unbeirrt,
Auch wenn die Logik sich verirrt.
Bin oft Symptom, nicht leicht zu fassen,
Kann Größen oder Ängste wachsen lassen.

Was bin ich? ... Der Wahn

Translation:
I build empires only in the mind,
Am a truth that has left itself behind.
People hold onto me, quite undeterred,
Even when logic becomes blurred.
I'm often a symptom, not easy to grasp,
Can make grandeur or fears grow fast.

What am I?
... Delusion (Der Wahn)

✨ Other Information

Word Compounds: "Wahn" is part of many German compound words describing specific forms or contexts:

• Größenwahn: Delusions of grandeur.
• Verfolgungswahn: Persecutory delusions.
• Wahnidee / Wahnvorstellung: The specific delusional idea.
• Wahnsinn: Often used synonymously or as a broader term for madness/insanity.
• Wahnglaube: The belief in a delusional idea.

Etymology: The word comes from Old High German "wān" (hope, expectation, opinion), but evolved through Middle High German "wān" (uncertain expectation, empty conceit, error) to its current meaning of a false, deceptive notion.